“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
In the Gospel of John, we find a most remarkably beautiful, and yet essential, truth concerning our relationship with God, with Christ. The Lord Jesus said this to His disciples: “Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” (14:27) Why does the Lord speak so clearly concerning this peace of God, the same peace that the Apostle Paul would speak of in his letter to the Colossians? It is because this peace is both a confirmation and consolation by God of His presence, blessing, keeping, and guidance. Why is it so essential to receive, to know, to discern, and live by this peace? Because it is of God, a gift of God, by His Spirit. It is that same Spirit that confirmed the love of God to the Son, and the sufficiency of His power to accomplish His work and purpose. It is that peace that is not of this world, a peace that “passes all understanding.” It cannot be fabricated, nor can it be understood, only received and lived by. Paul even adds, in speaking of this peace, that one’s heart and mind is kept by it. How? He simply declares that it is through Christ that we are kept, but essential to His keeping of the believer, who lives to worship and commune with Christ, is the experience of this peace which Christ gives. This peace is like an “umpire” of the heart, giving discernment to the believer as to the path to be taken, the choice to be made, and the work to be done. God will never give His peace to confirm and console unless it is according to His will, for His glory and honor. It is also true that He does gives His Divine peace by the Spirit to the one who waits upon Him, trusts Him implicitly to guide, provide, and protect. Not only does God “ordain” His peace to be given to the believer, but He KEEPS the believer in “perfect peace” whose mind is stayed on Him, because he trusts in Him. (Is. 26:12, 3) Since the peace of God is a fruit of the Spirit, the very manifestation of Christ in the life, it is to be seen and embraced because of its great worth, for in the experience of God’s peace, there is the deepening knowledge of Christ. Though not understood, nor experienced fully, as the believer’s capacity is so small, God can fill the heart with His peace, confirming His presence, blessing, and provision. This is the true knowledge of God. Many are the revelations and consequent experiences of God’s peace as we look to the Lord Jesus during His ministry. And many are the examples of His reigning peace after the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of Christ, with His peace, was poured out upon all flesh.
In the Gospel of Mark, we find the Lord Jesus, our peace, actually commanding peace in a small ship, in the midst of a storm. The Sovereign Author of peace rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” (4:39) The result of His authoritative command was that the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Christ alone can give peace in the storm, because He alone has the authority to command and accomplish it. To the raging sea He brings peace, but also to the troubled, wind-tossed soul on the uncertain sea.
It was Annie Marston who wrote the following: “I take Thee for my peace, O Lord, My heart to keep and fill, Thine own great calm amid earth’s storms, Shall keep me always still, And as Thy kingdom doth increase, so shall Thine ever-deepening peace.” The call of Christ, even life eternal, is to know Him. It is by receiving and knowing His peace that we know Him.
Dear Father, Give us Thy blessed peace today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.