“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.” John 14:27
Dear Ones:
If ever there was an example of the peace, that blessed calm of spirit and soul that is not of this world, it was in the Lord Jesus Himself. We find Him throughout the Scriptures never taken by surprise, always calm in the face of pressure and adversity. Surrounded by crowds, His spirit was so calm that He detected when the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of his garment and was healed. The disciples to the contrary, so affected by the number of people surrounding Jesus, and the clamor of such a crowd, could in no wise detect such a quiet act of true faith. Another time, when Jesus was being pressured by his adversaries who were seeking to catch him in his words to accuse him, simply and quietly bent down and wrote on the ground, certainly quietly waiting upon His Father for the exact word. The pressure was on Him to move outside that attitude and power of the peace with the Father, but He would not. The Father gave Him the exact, convicting word for the accusers of the adulteress, but a word of consolation to her. A third example of this peace, revealed in its power, was in the midst of a raging sea, and storm. He would arise from sleep, face the menacing waves and swirling gusts of wind, commanding the elements: “Peace be still.” Such was the heart of Christ, who lived in such a stillness of heart, that the impressions of the Father by the Spirit, were very easily detected, and then obeyed. No amount of clamor, pressure, or raging and changing circumstances, would alter that peace. It was both a peace which was of God, for it was by the Spirit, and it was a peace that was incomprehensible. Paul describes it to be a peace, “…that passeth all understanding.” (Phil. 4:7) It is also a peace that is so powerful that it can “…keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (v.7) In other words, it is a peace that is superior in strength to the circumstances and pressures of life that might war against it. Later, in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he writes: “…and let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” (3:15) God gives His peace, not only to keep the heart and mind of the believer, as he or she lives for and serves Christ, but it is given as a “discerner,” or umpire of the heart. His peace confirms that which is of God. If the believer, who lives in this peace and blessed calm of heart and mind, loses the experience of it, it is certainly the God of peace who is seeking to communicate that which is not of Him. The power of the peace of God is manifested in that it is one way that God confirms that which is of Him. If the believer is truly trusting God to guide him, and the peace of God is not present in the heart concerning a certain course of action, the believer needs to stop, reassess the situation, and the direction that he is taking. God gives His peace only for that which is in accordance with His will.
In the book of Isaiah, the author speaks a great deal about peace, quietness, and confidence. In chapter 26, we read: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee.” (v.3) Christ is the Guardian of the believer’s heart, ever keeping him by the power of His peace. In verse 12 of the same chapter, Isaiah writes: “Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for Thou also hast wrought all our works in us.” God gives, ordains, commits and provides His peace to the believer, who trusts Him to guide.
The peace of God is like the stillness of water, the quietness of a great calm, in mind and heart.
Dear Father, Give us Thy peace in its quiet power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad