Six Things You Can Know About

There is a great hunger for peace in our fractured world today and an equally urgent hunger for personal peace in our lives. In the New Testament, the Greek word for peace is eirene which means to bring peace, to be at peace, to live in peace, to be undisturbed in all circumstances. In the Hebrew Scriptures, of the several words used for peace, the principle one is shalom -which also means completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, to be at ease spiritually and emotionally, and to have a sense of internal well-being despite adverse circumstances. The precise meaning is determined principally by the context. Peace is used over 265 times in the O.T., 95 times in the N.T. God intends, and has made provision for us to have His peace and to maintain it in our lives.

The Scriptures speak of different kinds of peace - first, to be at peace WITH God (see Romans 5:1). All believers have this peace. Second, God wants to bring peace between believers and among adversaries. Third, God also wants us to personally possess the peace of God and to rest in His sovereign control in our life. Not all believers have this. It’s a gift from God which is for our benefit which can be accessed at any time and under any circumstances when certain biblical prerequisites are met.

 

I. You can Know That GOD IS THE SOURCE OF OUR PERSONAL PEACE!

It is from above - AHe maketh peace in His high places@ (Job 25:2). It is a mark of God’s presence and blessing - AThe Lord will bless His people with Peace...@ (Psalm 29:11). It is bestowed by God Himself - AFor He will speak peace unto His people and His saints@ (Psalm. 85:8). It is the perfect answer for fear and anxiety - AI will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for thou Lord, only makest me to dwell in Peace@(Psalm 4:8) and he is the@Prince of Peace@ (Isaiah@ 9:6). God’s peace is a wonderful gift - AThe Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and GIVE thee PEACE@ (Numbers 6:26). Jesus promised special peace to his disciples - APeace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you@ (John 14:27). And, our Peace is an act of His grace -AGrace be to you, and peace, from God our Father; and from the Lord Jesus Christ@ (Ephesians 1:2).

 

II. You Can Know That GOD=S PERSONAL PEACE DEPENDS ON OUR FAITH AND OBEDIENCE!

His peace protects - AGreat peace have they that love Thy Law and nothing shall offend them@ (Psalms 19:165). It is healthful -AMy son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you@ (Proverbs 1, 2) God’s peace may be uninterrupted - AThou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose MIND is stayed on Thee@ (Isaiah 26:3). It is accessed by our attitudes and faith . Paul suggests a progression of steps - Astand fast..., rejoice in the Lord always ... be moderate ... pray, make supplication,@ (Adeesis@ - to desire, petition, entreat with emotion) - and it results in the guarding of the heart and mind in Peace (Philippians 4:1-9).

 

III. You Can Know That GOD=S PEACE MANIFESTS DEEP JOY REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES!

ATo the counselors of peace there is Joy@ (Prov. 12:20). AWhen a man>s ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him@ (Proverbs 16:7). AHer (God’s wisdom) ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace@ (Prov. 3:17). AThe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace....@ (Galatians 5:22,23) AFor the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost@ (Romans 14:17). God’s presence in our life results in "joy and peace in believing@ (II Thessalonians 3:16), and our relationship to the Holy Spirit will assure our personal peace. ANow the God of hope fill you with all joy, and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost@ (Romans 15:13).

 

IV. You Can Know That GOD=S PEACE COMES BY YOUR CHOICE!

You can have God’s peace if you wish it, but you must choose to receive it as you would a gift. God’s personal peace is only available to believers - AThere is no peace saith the Lord unto the wicked’ (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). Peace is God’s promise to all those who love Him and He cannot fail to keep His promises (Romans 11:29) - A...neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee@ (Isaiah 54:10, Ezek. 34:25, Ephesians 1:2). God’s peace for believers is compared to a never diminishing river - ABehold I will extend peace to her (Israel) like a river...@ (Isaiah 66:12). When Our Lord is enthroned in our hearts, God’s perfect peace is operative in our life because God Himself IS our peace (Micah 5:5, John 14:27, 16:33).

To experience God’s perfect peace, we must focus on Him. -AThou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee@ (Isaiah 26:3). When our peace is threatened by bad news or our failure to see God’s Alight in the darkness@, the song writer suggests that we - ATurn Your Eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.@ The peace of God should be the ruling principle in our life - ALet the peace of God rule in your hearts to which you are called in one body and be ye thankful@ (Col. 3:15). God’s peace in our lives is in response to a pattern of behavior and thinking (see Philippians 4:1-9 and I Thessalonians 5:23) - Paul explains, AThese things ... do ... and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus@ (Philippians 4:9).

 

V. You Can Know That GOD=S PEACE IN YOU CAN BE SHARED WITH OTHERS!

ANow may the Lord of peace himself give you peace always and by all means (i.e., in every circumstance).@ The Apostle Peter suggests that it can also be communicated to others through A...preaching peace by Jesus Christ...@ (Acts 10:36). Francis of Assisi prayed as we should, ALord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.@ Another sage suggested that we are to A... practice the presence of God.@ May that be our desire. And may we share God’s incomprehensible peace with others.

 

VI. You Can KNOW THAT GOD=S PEACE CAN FLOURISH IN YOUR LIFE.

When your personal peace becomes frayed through circumstances, pause for a moment to confess your faith in His love, His sovereignty, His control, His provision, His never-failing love and His power, and then thank Him for His renewed peace. In other words, read and follow the instructions from the AManufacturer@. I’ve also found in those moments of solitude when I face situations which challenge the peace of God in my heart, if I sing to myself the words of some of the great hymns and gospel songs, it helps me renew my focus on Him, and I become spiritually refreshed and enriched. Like a tender shepherd, my great Shepherd restores me (Psalm 23). For example try singing, AWhen peace like a river attendeth my way when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot He has taught me to say, It is well with my soul.@ Or try singing, APeace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray in fathomless billows of love.@ Or enjoy singing, AThou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee. When shadows fall and darkness comes, HE GIVETH PERFECT PEACE. Oh, He is my only resting place, HE giveth perfect peace. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee@ (from Isaiah 26:3). May God enable you to relax and rest in Him. But I must warn you, you can’t explain it because it is truly incomprehensible. You may even hear from some of your friends, AYou’re in denial.@ Appropriate and enjoy God’s Peace!

Visit Hope For Today