“The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give…” JOHN 14:27
To say that we live in a peace-less world would be an understatement. But, after reading all the bumper stickers, seeing all the peace symbols, and hearing all the New Age promises, you’d think that we’ve finally learned something very powerful about the source of peace. But, the reality is that this world has less a clue of what real peace is or feels like because a world that rejects God also rejects any chance at achieving lasting peace!
Peace is a gift that comes from Jesus alone… no exceptions. People can fabricate peace… fake it, even fantasize about peace… but no one can experience a sense of real peace as we lost true peace when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. We cannot get it back without accepting the give of peace from Jesus, who made peace possible through His death and resurrection.
Peace is the security that comes from an unhindered connection with God, which explains why we lost peace when Adam and Eve’s sin broke our intimacy with our Father. It also explains why we can experience it again through His Son, Jesus, since He is our bridge back to our Heavenly Father. By focusing off the problem and constantly on Christ, perfect peace can be realized. Isaiah 26:3 states, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.” In the midst of an environment plagued with a myriad of worldly pressures designed to draw us away from God and onto our needs and problems, requires effort and a conscious decision to study the Word of God, being taught by the Holy Spirit, and permitting Him to fix our hearts on the person of Jesus Christ.
Just as God lifted Jesus to Heaven after the resurrection, His peace lifts us above our earthly troubles. We’re still on this earth for our human lifetime, and we still endure all the mess and heartache that go along with that. But God’s Holy Spirit in us has the power to hold us above the stresses we encounter here. It is truly miraculous that we can be in this world but enjoy the security of knowing that our souls are sealed with God, and our spirits kept healthy and whole by His peace is a sure by-product of intimacy with our Heavenly Father. If we are not experiencing peace, then the problem is ours.
The peace described in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God” comes from a personal decision and the discipline to stop in the midst of the frenzy of life and take time to seek Him. And when we do, and commit our mind and heart on Him, He offers us the gift of peace… Thank you, Jesus!!
Heavenly Father… Let those times when peace feels lacking, draw us back to You… use those empty phrases as catalysts for our spiritual growth and for seeing You glorified by refilling us with the peace You promised many years ago.
gstefanelli (Greg Stefanelli)
Sixty-six books in a year 