Peace of God
Last week we tried to understand the joy of the Lord from the word of God. The kind of joy that is unnatural, supernatural, and difficult to understand. And we know that this joy is completely different from what the world calls happiness, pleasure or joy.
Today let us understand more about the peace of God. It is not something unknown to us. Peace is something that we discuss a lot, maybe because of the need for it, or the lack for it in normal places. There is lack of peace in the world outside with ongoing conflicts between communities and nations. There is also the lack of peace in the hearts and minds of people. There is so much turbulence in the world and true peace is nowhere to be found. In these circumstances, peace gains more importance than anything else. It is also an extremely attractive proposition if real peace was actually available as there is a great need for godly peace. So, studying about the peace of God is extremely relevant and timely.
Who has access to this peace?
What is this peace like?
How do we experience this peace?
Who gets this peace?
The peace of God is only available to those who have made peace with God. Sorry, it sounds insensitive and non-inclusive. But it's not for everyone in the world. As much as how nice we'd like to be, we cannot wish a person who does not believe in Christ to have the peace of God. The Bible says that we were alienated from God and enemies. Col 1:21
Also, not just theologically, but practically, we know that not every Christian experiences this perfect peace either. Just because a person becomes a child of God, they do not experience this peace. Only people who remain faithful to God can even hope to experience the peace of God.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Romans 5:1
Even if we have unconfessed or unresolved sin within us, we will not be able to experience the peace of God.
Speaking to His disciples Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” – John 14: 27
Summing up, you need to be in peace with God, before you can have the peace of God.
What is this peace like?
Before we talk about what God's peace is like, let's think about what the world offers as peace. The world tries to help you buy peace of mind. For example, people feel like they have peace of mind when they have a bank balance, wealth, things to entertain, and distract them. They try to ‘insure’ their way out of the uncertainties in this fallen world. Life insurance, health insurance, home insurance, appliance insurance, travel insurance, gap insurance, umbrella policies, liability insurance. It never ends. These things are temporary quick fixes that truly do not solve a problem that can only be solved by a completely different approach: a change of heart.
Biblical peace comes from a relationship with God. It is so fundamental to God that scripture frequently speaks about God and peace that one of the names of God is Jehovah Shalom based on the God's revelation to Gideon. And in Isaiah's prophecy calls him the Prince of Peace.
Godly peace is:
1. Not an absence of conflict or difficulty. It is often experienced in the midst of that.
2. Not external, it is internal.
3. Not a performance, it is an assurance.
4. It is not natural, it passes all understanding
How do we get access to Godly Peace
We will now see how we can get access to God's peace, how we can grow in it.
1) Abide in Him
Peace is a gift from God and fruit of the Spirit. By abiding in Him and in His
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Our job is to remain in the vine. Allow the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit in our lives.
2) Trust in Him
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3
Often, we want peace of mind to trust in God. The more we trust in God that God is in control of all in our lives, the more strongly we experience God's peace. It is also important to renew our minds with the word of God and meditate on the right things so that His peace can grow within us.
3) Submit to His rule
Even though we speak about peace of mind, Biblical peace is something that happens first in your heart.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”Colossians 3:15
When God rules your life, His peace rules your heart.
"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Rom 14:17
4) Remain Hidden in Him
One of the greatest Biblical pictures of peace is that even though we are in this world, we are in Christ.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33
Praise be to God because in Him we have peace.
In the letter to Colossians, Paul says our life is hid with Christ in God. Even though around us we may see trouble and tribulation around us, because we are in Christ we remain shielded. It is like an astronaut being in space which is cold and completely devoid of air but wearing a space suit keeps him insulated from the cold and having enough air to be comfortable. When we are hidden in Christ, what happens around us does not have its impact on us.
“Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”
Psalms 27:3-5
God is able to hide us in the time of trouble and He will, if we abide in Him, trust in Him, submit to His rule and remain hidden in Him.
May God grant us His peace in every circumstance.