Life Principle 12
Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God. (Ps 4:8)
Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God. (Ps 4:8)
Life’s Questions
At night when everything is quiet, uneasy thoughts can bombard you. You want to sleep and get the rest that you need, but your responsibilities and problems fill your mind. You try to focus on other things—counting sheep or the tick-tocks of your clock—but you can’t stop the anxieties from tormenting you and keeping you awake. In those moments, you would give anything for some peace.
Have you experienced sleepless nights alone with your troubled thoughts? Have you struggled through those stressful moments, wondering why your mind cannot let go and rest? You know that in John 14:27, Jesus said, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” But why is that peace so hard to hold on to? Peace is God’s gift to you, but you cannot have it apart from a close, intimate relationship with Him. As Life Principle 12 states, Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.
What the Bible Says
Read 2 Sam 19:9-15. Why were the people of Israel protesting?
*** When the Israelites spoke of their “ten shares in the king” (2 Sam. 19:43), they were referring to ten tribes. There were 12 tribes of Israel in total, but the tribe of Simeon was within the borders of Judah (see Josh. 19:1) and was considered part of Judah.
Read 2 Samuel 20:1–7. How widespread was Sheba’s rebellion (2 Sam 20:2)?
How serious did David consider this rebellion to be (2 Sam 20:6)?
Read 2 Samuel 20:15-22. How did God turn Sheba’s rebellion around to restore the peace of Israel?
Read Psalm 4. Why was it important for David to remember that God had relieved him of his distress in the past (Ps 4:1-3)?
*** Some believe that Psalm 4 was written either during the rebellion of Sheba or while Saul was persecuting David. Others believe that Psalm 4, like Psalm 3, was written by David during Absalom’s rebellion against him. No matter who sought to hurt him, David trusted in God for his peace.
Why did David write verses Ps 4:4-5? Why would this be important to remember in times of great stress and conflict?
What can you learn about David’s relationship with God from verses Ps 4:7-8?
Why did David’s relationship with God give him peace?
*** The word peace in Hebrew, shalom, means the completion, fulfillment, unity, and harmony that come as a result of God’s presence.
What It Means
Considering that David had so many enemies, it is difficult to imagine him getting a good night’s sleep. However, David knew that he could rely upon God for his safety and peace. This was the result of his faithful walk with the Lord. David was committed to obeying God and keeping his focus continually on Him. Because of that, David had peace—even in the worst situations.
Life Examples
Read Isaiah 26:3–4. When have you spent an extended period of time in prayer and worship, meditating on God’s Word and enjoying His presence?
Did your time with God fill you with peace? Why or why not?
Why would keeping your focus on God fill you with peace?
Living the Principle
Do you long for deep, abiding peace? Does your soul need rest from the worries and stresses that surround you? Your anxiety is a telltale sign that your focus isn’t where it should be. Instead of rejoicing in the strength, wisdom, and love of God, you’ve allowed your attention to be consumed by the details of your circumstances. You are so busy trying to figure out how to fix your situation that you’ve forgotten that the only effective solution is to submit yourself to God. As Jesus said, “I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Therefore, you must learn to think differently, or as Romans 12:2 instructs, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The most important thing that you can do is to begin every day connecting with God by reading His Word and spending time in prayer. Your time with God will give you the direction, strength, and focus that you need, and will fill you with the assurance that your heart yearns for.
*** The word peace in Greek, eirene, means to bind together. It is the harmony, security, and joy that come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
How will you live out Life Principle 12 this week? Discuss the trials that you are facing and how you can develop your “oneness” with Christ. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
At night when everything is quiet, uneasy thoughts can bombard you. You want to sleep and get the rest that you need, but your responsibilities and problems fill your mind. You try to focus on other things—counting sheep or the tick-tocks of your clock—but you can’t stop the anxieties from tormenting you and keeping you awake. In those moments, you would give anything for some peace.
Have you experienced sleepless nights alone with your troubled thoughts? Have you struggled through those stressful moments, wondering why your mind cannot let go and rest? You know that in John 14:27, Jesus said, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” But why is that peace so hard to hold on to? Peace is God’s gift to you, but you cannot have it apart from a close, intimate relationship with Him. As Life Principle 12 states, Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.
What the Bible Says
Read 2 Sam 19:9-15. Why were the people of Israel protesting?
*** When the Israelites spoke of their “ten shares in the king” (2 Sam. 19:43), they were referring to ten tribes. There were 12 tribes of Israel in total, but the tribe of Simeon was within the borders of Judah (see Josh. 19:1) and was considered part of Judah.
Read 2 Samuel 20:1–7. How widespread was Sheba’s rebellion (2 Sam 20:2)?
How serious did David consider this rebellion to be (2 Sam 20:6)?
Read 2 Samuel 20:15-22. How did God turn Sheba’s rebellion around to restore the peace of Israel?
Read Psalm 4. Why was it important for David to remember that God had relieved him of his distress in the past (Ps 4:1-3)?
*** Some believe that Psalm 4 was written either during the rebellion of Sheba or while Saul was persecuting David. Others believe that Psalm 4, like Psalm 3, was written by David during Absalom’s rebellion against him. No matter who sought to hurt him, David trusted in God for his peace.
Why did David write verses Ps 4:4-5? Why would this be important to remember in times of great stress and conflict?
What can you learn about David’s relationship with God from verses Ps 4:7-8?
Why did David’s relationship with God give him peace?
*** The word peace in Hebrew, shalom, means the completion, fulfillment, unity, and harmony that come as a result of God’s presence.
What It Means
Considering that David had so many enemies, it is difficult to imagine him getting a good night’s sleep. However, David knew that he could rely upon God for his safety and peace. This was the result of his faithful walk with the Lord. David was committed to obeying God and keeping his focus continually on Him. Because of that, David had peace—even in the worst situations.
Life Examples
Read Isaiah 26:3–4. When have you spent an extended period of time in prayer and worship, meditating on God’s Word and enjoying His presence?
Did your time with God fill you with peace? Why or why not?
Why would keeping your focus on God fill you with peace?
Living the Principle
Do you long for deep, abiding peace? Does your soul need rest from the worries and stresses that surround you? Your anxiety is a telltale sign that your focus isn’t where it should be. Instead of rejoicing in the strength, wisdom, and love of God, you’ve allowed your attention to be consumed by the details of your circumstances. You are so busy trying to figure out how to fix your situation that you’ve forgotten that the only effective solution is to submit yourself to God. As Jesus said, “I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Therefore, you must learn to think differently, or as Romans 12:2 instructs, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The most important thing that you can do is to begin every day connecting with God by reading His Word and spending time in prayer. Your time with God will give you the direction, strength, and focus that you need, and will fill you with the assurance that your heart yearns for.
*** The word peace in Greek, eirene, means to bind together. It is the harmony, security, and joy that come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
How will you live out Life Principle 12 this week? Discuss the trials that you are facing and how you can develop your “oneness” with Christ. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- Only God is equipped to handle our problems (see Ps. 62:5–7).
- Accepting God’s timetable and instruction helps to dispel rising anxiety (see Hab. 2:1–3).
- The safest place for you when trials come is in the everlasting arms of Jesus (see Deut. 33:27).