“The people who know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)
One of the reasons people lose their peace is because it’s not anchored in God or His Word. As we say in Nigeria, ‘last last’, the peace of God you experience largely depends on how much of God and His Word you have hidden in your heart. The reason you can walk into a restaurant to buy food or a clothing store to purchase clothes with peace of mind is because you know you have money in your pocket or bank account. Similarly, the level of peace you experience in life is largely determined by how much you know God.
Trusting God Like a Child: The Power of Relationship
When I observe children, I often find inspiration. One of the most striking things about them is their ability to trust anyone they recognize as their caregiver or provider. These little ones are often much wiser than we give them credit for. They observe us more closely than we realize. Have you ever noticed that children tend to go to the adult who gives them the most attention when they need something? It’s almost as if the others don’t matter as much in those moments. They instinctively know who is present for them, who listens, and who consistently shows up. They never worry about where their next meal will come from, where they’ll sleep, or other concerns that often disturb adults. They have spent enough time with their caregivers to trust them, seeing time and time again that these caregivers have their backs. Without hesitation, they ask for what they need because they believe these adults have the capacity to meet their needs, even when, in reality, they might not.
Knowledge of God: The Key to Strength and Peace
This is similar to our relationship with God. The more we get to know Him, His nature, His love for us, and the extent to which He will go to provide, protect, and care for us, the more peace we’ll experience. The more we study Him, the less we’ll be swayed by life’s challenges. No matter how hard things get, our little ones never stop trusting us. This is why I understand why some parents or guardians believe it’s not good to always say no to children.
The idea behind this belief is that saying no too often can make children feel insecure or even lose trust in you. When they hear no constantly, they may become so used to it that they stop expecting much from others. Over time, this can affect their ability to build meaningful connections and trust people. At this stage, children learn a lot about God from their relationship with us. In many ways, they tend to reflect their experience with us onto their understanding of God. If we’re not careful, this can shape how they relate to Him; whether they see Him as loving and trustworthy or distant and harsh. This is why it is important for us to model the love, grace, and patience of Jesus Christ to them, showing them how to have a genuine, trusting relationship with God.
On the other hand, if we lean too much into the idea that we should never say no to children, it can lead to entitlement. I think the key is balance. It’s important to say no when needed, but also to explain why. That way, the child feels seen, heard, and understood, and they can better process your perspective.
It’s important, then, to dedicate as much time as possible to knowing God; through prayer, His Word, and reflecting on His faithfulness in your life. For example, Hagar knew God as “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13). From that moment in the desert, I believe she never forgot this truth: there is a God who sees her.
Abraham knew God as El Shaddai, the Almighty, and Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. These revelations and deep understanding of God’s nature kept Abraham in perfect peace. So much so, that when God asked him to sacrifice his only son, the son he had waited decades for, he was at peace and trusted God completely.
When the servant of Elisha informed him that the enemy had surrounded them, Elisha remained at peace. Years of serving God, growing in knowledge of Him, and witnessing His faithfulness in Elisha’s life all fueled his confidence in God’s ability to come through. He calmly responded, saying, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16).
The people who know their God who shall be strong and do exploits
Your knowledge of God and His Word is what will preserve you and keep your heart in peace. The truth doesn’t set you free just because the Bible is beside your bed, you heard it in Sunday school, or it was read to you as a child. It’s only the truth that has taken root in your heart, the truth you know as deeply as you know your own name, that will bring you freedom. The more you know God, the more freedom you’ll experience; the less you know, the easier it is to be oppressed. Oppression can persist for years until the child of God breaks into the light of truth. As Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
Indeed, it is “the people who know their God who shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32), not just those whom God knows. I’ve often said that the peace of God you experience is largely tied to how much of God you know. If you don’t know His Word or His promises, you’ll be tossed around by every storm. As Hosea 4:6 reminds us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
If you’re struggling with molestations in your dreams for example, your deliverance begins the day you know whose bride you are. When you truly realize that “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19), that “you are the bride of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2), and that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4), the oppression will cease.
If you don’t know that “you have more understanding than all your teachers, for the testimonies of God are your meditation” (Psalm 119:99), you may struggle unnecessarily in your studies, relying only on your own limited strength.
If you don’t know that “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Romans 6:14), you may find yourself overcome by emotions, desires, and temptations.
If you don’t know that “He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children” (Psalm 113:9), you may experience delays in childbirth.
If you don’t know that “Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12), you may continue facing rejection and hardship where you should be experiencing divine favor.
When you know that “The Lord is your Shepherd, you shall not want; He makes you lie down in green pastures; He leads you beside still waters” (Psalm 23:1-2), your heart will be at peace, anchored in His goodness.
Final Notes
As you grow in your knowledge of God, you’ll find that peace isn’t just something you experience during calm moments, it becomes a constant, no matter what storms life throws your way. Just like a child trusts their caregiver, you’ll begin to trust God more deeply. You’ll see that He is always faithful, always present, and always working on your behalf, even when it doesn’t feel that way. So, take the time to get to know Him through His Word, through prayer, and through reflecting on His faithfulness in your life. The more you do, the stronger your peace will become, and the more unshaken you will be, no matter what comes. Remember, the peace of God is your anchor; let it hold you steady.
