May 27, 2025
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.—Numbers 6:24–26
What brings you peace? A quick scroll through social media reveals multiple attempts at answering that question. Some indicate that peace is a commodity we gain while sitting by a quiet lake, strolling on a wooded path, or gazing at the night sky. Others imply that a sparkling clean kitchen, a freshly made bed, a basket of folded laundry, or an inbox clear of unanswered emails will garner peace in your life. And most of us have probably said (or at least thought), “All I want is a little peace and quiet.” What we mean is, we want a quiet afternoon. And to be honest, who wouldn’t love a quiet day? Most of us would be happy with a few quiet moments! But is peace merely the absence of noise, the result of completed tasks, or something only to be found when our environment is beautiful?
The Bible presents the idea of peace as something much greater, much more holistic, and much more beneficial than merely a quiet afternoon. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. And shalom is something that is meant to permeate every aspect of a person’s life with wholeness, goodness, and well-being. It’s the true peace we all long for because it’s the peace God designed us for.
We see this perfect peace in the first two chapters of the Bible—in Eden. During this time and in this place, Adam and Eve were able to walk with God in unbroken fellowship. They experienced what it was to be in God’s presence and, as a result, knew true peace with God, each other, and all of creation. They experienced shalom and, consequently, true human flourishing.
But because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, they became enemies of God and were cast out of Eden, losing both their access to this place of perfect shalom and their perfect union with the God of shalom. God still longs to give his people peace. …
We’re told that God “makes his face shine on” us and “lifts his countenance upon” us. Both mean that God looks on us with joy, love, and delight. The expression on his face is that of a loving parent gazing on the child he adores. As scholar Jay Sklar wrote, “This intimate language describes the Lord turning his face to us, beaming with love and pleasure. That is true blessing: the King of the universe looking towards you as a loving Father who knows all your needs and giving you his very self.” What deeper source of peace could we ever find than the holy, infinite, majestic, Creator God looking on us with love and joy?
True peace is available. It’s available because we serve a loving God. Peace is available because, ultimately, God sent his Son, the Prince of Peace, to accomplish all that’s required to give us peace.—Courtney Doctor1
Of the many word pictures that Jesus painted, there is one that particularly engenders the peace of spirit that comes from feeling secure in God’s loving care: “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. If God so clothes the grass of the field, will He not much more clothe you?” (Matthew 6:28–30). Can you see those lilies now? Tall and straight, perfectly formed and laced with dew, each a polite distance from the next, they sway as one to the sweet strains of songbirds and a gentle breeze as it sweeps through an open meadow awash with morning sun. At least that’s how I would have visualized them.
A very different scene hangs above my desk—a hopeless tangle of wildflowers and weeds, grasses, thistles, and who knows what—some flourishing, some beginning to fade, and some gone to seed. The photo was the reward of a long, hot trek through the Texas countryside in search of a scene that matched a mental picture that had come to me months earlier while praying about my part in a new project that involved quite a few people, each of whom added his or her particular needs, opinions, aspirations, quirks, and hang-ups to the mix.
The amazing thing about that scene when I glimpsed it in prayer was how it instantly set my heart and mind to rest. I had the distinct feeling that God not only had it all under control, but that He delighted in the complexity and diversity, in each and every element and its place in the hodgepodge. The Creator in love with His creation.
Things weren’t as I would have had them, but as He would have them. That realization made all the difference. I titled my photo Divine Chaos, and I study and draw from it whenever I work myself into turmoil over some new problem. “Consider the lilies and how they grow. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you” (Luke 12:27–28).—Keith Phillips
The other morning I opened my eyes after a deep sleep to see a large black slug blocking my vision. My mind reacted quickly, recognizing from experience what had happened—it was another bleed in my left eye from diabetic retinopathy. I could see nothing but a marmalade of ugly red clouds, swirling in the vitreous of my eyeball as I turned my head.
I have had these bleeds many times over the years. In fact, my right eye went completely blind 15 years ago, and I had a major eye operation called a vitrectomy to restore my sight. … It was quite something to go completely blind and then regain my sight. The surgeon himself said to some doctors at a hospital event I later attended as a patient: ‘If Christopher had lived before the 1970s [when this sight-saving surgical technique was created], he would have lived in a world of darkness.’
Meanwhile, my left eye has faced similar bleeding challenges, such as what happened recently. I don’t know the eventual outcome, but the same major surgery is a reality I may face one day. But perhaps not. My children have laid hands on me and prayed. … We trust Jesus and carry on.
It can be hard to ‘carry on’ and keep calm, though, when you can’t see properly. Trying to smile and have normal conversations when you’re panicking inside. That’s why carving out time to spend in God’s presence is so important. Finding calm in prayer with the Holy Spirit is essential to dig deep and receive the strength needed to overcome trials. Receiving prayer from loved ones is important for that as well.
That’s why Elijah ran away and hid in the cave. It wasn’t so much the situation that scared him—he just really, really wanted to know God was with him. And the Lord showed he was with Elijah not in the powerful wind or earthquake but in the gentle whisper. If you face a challenge today, … prioritize spending time with Jesus and simply listen through the storm and the earthquake for the powerful tones of his gentle whisper. Nothing is impossible with God, and he loves you.
Lord, you are love defined, and you are my strength. I am glad that when the situation seems impossible, you are in charge of the tempest. I can trust in the uplifting of your presence, in the counseling of your Holy Spirit. I confess today that I am struggling with anxiety about what is happening to me. … But you understand, Lord. You sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. I am not alone—I am with you, and you are with me. I can do all things through my God, who gives me strength. I am calm in your presence. I am free to see light on the horizon because you are the light of my world. … In Jesus’ name. Amen.—Chris Eyte2
Published on Anchor May 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.
1 Courtney Doctor, “God Designed You for Peace,” Crossway, May 16, 2024, https://www.crossway.org/articles/god-designed-you-for-peace/
2 Christopher Eyte, “A Prayer to Find Calm in God's Presence,” Crosswalk, May 16 devotional, https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/a-prayer-to-find-calm-in-gods-presence.html
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