God’s Peace

I trust that this blog today finds you and your family well.  I say that because there are things that happen in our lives and those around us which can make for stressful times.  Certainly, when we add the noise that is all around us in the world there are many reasons that we might find it difficult to find peace.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines peace as a state of tranquility or quiet.  In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for peace is shalom.  It is the relationship of man and nations.  Psalm 85:8 NKJV speaks of the peace of man with God-

I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.

The word folly used here is indicative of foolishness.  It is to be our endeavor that as we seek, and God provides His peace, we are not to turn back in foolishness to what has caused our lack of peace.

As individuals, peace is directly related to our actions and attitudes.  Yet peace is a gift from God.  In Isaiah 45:7 God said-

I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’

 Over in John 14:27 Jesus speaks of giving peace and He says-

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

When we experience that peace it is God’s blessing on man’s obedience and faith.

Philippians 4:6-7 Paul says-

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

 ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

However, God’s Word says in Isaiah 48:22 that-

“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

We are to seek peace and in Psalm 34:14 the Psalmist tells us-

Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

We find in Matthew 5 Jesus teaching on what we refer to as the Beatitudes.  The Greek word translated “blessed” means “happy, blissful” or, literally, “to be enlarged.”  Here in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word to refer to more than a superficial happiness. Here blessed refers to a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity. Thus, happiness is a deep joy of the soul.

Jesus speaks to each who experience the first aspect of a beatitude- the poor, those who mourn,  the meek, those hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness sake will also experience the second aspect of the beatitude – the kingdom of heaven, comfort, inherit the earth, be filled, obtain mercy, see God, will be called sons of God, and inherit the kingdom of heaven.  Being blessed provides a share in salvation and entrance to the kingdom of God, experiencing a foretaste of heaven.

We should “make every effort to do what leads to peace” as seen in Romans 14:19-

¹⁹ Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

 Now, there will be some people who do not desire peace, but we are still to do our utmost to be at peace with them as Paul notes in Romans 12:18-

¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Are we obligated to have God’s peace rule our lives? 

Yes, and in Colossians 3:15 we are told-

¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Please, understand that as with all things, we have a choice we can make.  We have the choice either to trust God’s promises, which lets His peace rule, or we can rely on ourselves and reject the peace He offers.

Jesus gave His disciples peace based on the truth that He has overcome the world in John 14:27-

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Then says and we see in John 16:33 when He says-

 ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

In Galatians 5 we see the fruits of the Spirit.  If we allow the Spirit of God rule in our lives, we experience peace.  In Verse 22 and 23 we read-

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

We have decisions to make every day.  We are to endeavor to seek the Lord and in such be spiritually minded.  Romans 8:6 provides for a clear statement as to results of our correct response.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  

Soas you begin this day, remember what we saw in Philippians 4:6-7 when Paul said-

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

 ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

In God’s Grace,

Elbert Nasworthy