“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26: 3
This is my life’s verse. Perfect peace. Even when everything on the exterior is spinning out of control, He knows how to keep us in perfect peace. It’s not about the absence of trouble, but it’s about having the most richness of sweetest joy that we can possibly have here on earth. There is something I have learned that brings me comfort… “God doesn’t always calm the storm, but He always calms His child.” Our Prince of Peace freely gives that calm, but only if His child has their thoughts and eyes fixed on Him. He has to be top priority in our lives! David says, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God (Psalm 42: 1). With Christmas being a very recent memory, I think now is a really great time to speak about God’s peace…
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2: 14
King Jesus left His throne. He broke into this world to make peace, and to also bring a sword (“For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’). Peace was offered to the world, but only those who accept and receive the Peacemaker will find it. Let’s look at Jesus’ own words…
“But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.” Luke 10: 5-6
Look again at Luke 2: 14 – the key to having any lasting peace is keeping together what the angels kept together – “Glory to God, and peace on earth.” We cannot separate the two; there is no peace without giving God glory. A heart bent towards God, a heart sold out for God, a heart that treasures God, a heart that believes in the promises of God – will experience the sweetest peace. Peace spreads to wherever Jesus is. Faith is the key…
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5: 1-2
“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: 27
He will be our peace by being our God. If we want peace in our lives, God must rule our lives. Having peace with God is foundational to any outward peace we can have; there isn’t anything sweeter than knowing you have peace with God. Amen? Next, we look at Peace with Ourselves – we’re people torn with anxieties, instabilities, senses of guilt… the list goes on. Here’s what God says…
“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
In other words, we must roll all of our anxieties and all of the crazy stuff that tortures our minds and hearts onto God. We can wear our hearts on our sleeves with Him. We need to be honest and spill out what’s in our hearts and minds. God is telling us that we’re being attacked! By putting our burdens on Him, He will give us the peace that will guard our minds and hearts against these attacks!