The Lord says:
"These are times of instability and volatility. Things are going to swing violently and unexpectedly in the coming months, and in ways that can confound and surprise even the smartest of brains. But as for you, My beloved, do not get overly carried away by emotions. Keep calm. Do not be anxious and do not panic, no matter what you see or what you hear in the world around you. Instead, be filled with My peace that surpasses all understanding."
I also heard these words: "Play the long game!" Imagine a straight path ahead towards the horizon. Do not just look at the present or short term. Look at what's at the horizon. Look at the long term. Look to the Lord who is sovereign and in control. He sees the end from the beginning. Be patient. Trust that the Lord knows what He's doing in your life, and even in the world around you. That's what "play the long game" means.
There's no doubt the world around us is changing, and changing fast. In fact, there's going to be acceleration of changes, and many things are going to happen suddenly. But fear not. Keep trusting in the Lord and keep looking to the Lord. Do not panic. Ask for the wisdom from God. Ask, and you shall receive. Ask for the leading, direction, and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
How do you prepare in a time of instability and volatility? How do you live victoriously in such a time? First of all, receive the peace that comes only from God!
Now, this peace from God is not just peace per se, as in the dictionary. This peace encompasses many aspects of your life. It is a big word. This peace is 'shalom' in Hebrew. Peace in every sense of the word 'peace'. It includes your safety, your wellness, your wholeness, your welfare, and even your health. So, it is not just a state of being safe and secure. But also, it is having the assurance that the Lord is still in control and the Lord is sovereign, and the Lord knows what He is doing in your life.
In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
You see, nothing can take away this peace that's inside of you. This peace that comes only from the Lord. This peace that the world cannot give. This peace is greater than any turbulence outside of you in this world, or whatever disturbing news you hear in the world.
Just one verse before that, in John 14:26, Jesus says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you."
Indeed, He has given us the Holy Spirit. And the Lord is saying to you that it's not too late yet, if you heed the Lord now. Obedience is the key. Change, when He asks you to change. Change how you see things. Change how you approach things. Move as He moves. Stop as He stops. When He says so, you say so. When He says no, you say no. Listen to the Holy Spirit that's inside of you.
Listen to the "peace" or "un-peace" that's inside of you. Follow the peace of the Holy Spirit. And heed His warnings. And that's how you will never go wrong. Why? Because the Holy Spirit will never go wrong. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of all truth, and He is all-knowing.
So you see, obedience is the key. Obedience to what? Obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Flow with the Holy Spirit. Not just listen to those who claim or seem to be knowledgeable. Now, there's a place, of course, for the professionals. But they are just humans. They can be wrong too. They can predict wrongly too. But the Holy Spirit in you will always speak the truth. That is the difference.
Isaiah 26:3-4 says, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength."
God can keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on Him, and when you trust in Him. That's what the Scripture says here. So, no matter what happens outside of you in the world, you can still trust in the Lord who is your everlasting strength. He will keep you in perfect peace. He is your everlasting strength. The strength that cannot be shaken.
The word 'peace' here (or 'shalom' in Hebrew) comes from this word 'shalam' in Hebrew. It literally means 'to be completely and unquestionably safe and secure'. Completely and unquestionably safe and secure in Him!
Beloved of God, what are the 'storms' that you may be facing at the moment? It may be your health. It may be financially. It may be in any area of your life. But take heart, because whatever the 'storm' may be, if your mind is stayed on YAH, the LORD, this peace (or 'shalom') will rule and reign in you and in your situation. And I want to declare by faith that this peace inside of you will drown out all those "storms"! However big these "storms" seem to be!
Is it a health storm? Is it a financial storm? Is it a storm in your relationship or in your family? Is it a storm in your business? Is it a storm in your city, your nation, or even in the world? But I tell you what, the Lord is greater. The Lord is greater than whatever that is in the world. The Lord is greater than whatever the enemy throws at you. And as you receive this peace, this shalom peace deep inside of you, there will be such calmness and assurance that only the Lord can give. Now that's what Isaiah 26:3-4 mean here.
Remember, in the midst of the storm, Jesus said, "Peace, be still." And you know what? The storm was calmed. The violent waves ceased. And the boat He was in sailed safely to the destination. And that's what the Lord is saying to you as well. You will sail safely to your destination, and you will fulfill all of God's plans and purposes for your life, your destiny! Amen!