Monday, June 05, 2006

Perfect Peace



"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. "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. John 14:26-27


"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. " Isaiah 26:3


"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7


"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9


"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Webster's defines peace as: a state of tranquility or quiet, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions, harmony in personal relationships.

All of us go through our hurried, busy lives trying to maintain a sense of peace. That is a hard thing to do in today's world. Just watching the evening news is enough to put someone at unrest. Terror attacks, murder, threat of a pandemic, children killing children, war, natural disasters, genocide; all of these things going on all over the world. Also, each of us has the worries of everyday life; our children, our jobs, families. We often try to find peace through material possessions, and other people. Other people will always fail us.

The world has lots of advice to give to minimalize anxiety and attain peace. "The experts" tell us to invest wisely for the future, be as prepared as possible for natural disasters, exercise, go on a diet etc So we do all of these things and something else crops up. More worries, more of life's problems.

In John 14 Jesus says that the peace that He gives is not of this world, it is not like the world's peace. Philippians 4 says that it is a peace, "which surpasses all understanding". In John 16:33 Jesus says, "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."

Jesus never promised a carefree life, but He said to, "be of good cheer", because He has overcome the world. All who wholeheartedly direct their affections and thoughts to God will have His peace: "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3
When we live our lives with God at the forefront, the world and all of its craziness and all of its worries can go on around us and we can have an inner peace that is not just in our minds, but in our hearts. We can rest assured that God will never leave us or forsake us, just as He promised. God has a perfect plan for all of us. He allows us to go throug things to strengthen us and draw us closer to Him. It is in the valleys that things grow, there is not much growing on a mountain top.

When we choose to serve the God of the Bible, we will have peace that is established deep in our hearts and minds. "Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me, and he shall make peace with Me." Isaiah 27:5
If we can submit our hearts and wills to Christ, His strength can bring us peace.

"O that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." Isaiah 48:18

True peace comes when we obey God's commandments. In John 14:21, Jesus said ," Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me." Jesus is called The Prince of Peace, and when we are in harmony and unity with Him we can have that "peace that surpasses all understanding." A peace that the world does not give, and the world can not take away. The world can look in and not understand how we can be peaceful amidst the storms of life.

God is the author of peace and He promises it to those who serve Him. Those who do not serve Him can not attain that peace. "I create the fruit of the lips; peace, peace to him who is far off and him who is near,' says the Lord, and I will heal him.' But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.' 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked.' Isaiah 57:17


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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Becky,
This is that wacko woman who called you earlier today... the wounds seemed so deep at the time. Thank you guys for the prayer of GOD'S FAMILY that brings a PEACE that passes all undestanding. Thanks for providing al of the scripture. God's Word will not return void!

New Wine and Blessings,
Missy