121. Peace
John 14:27 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 afraid.
Jesus promises peace, and He gives it to us. This is Jesus’ peace, which is perfect; it is a peace that is at peace with everything good. Jesus is at peace, totally, with the Father; He is at peace with the universe and all creation. This is a godly, a heavenly peace; there is nothing human about it. It is much more than the absence of war. There is no strife, disagreement, argument or fighting with anything. The world cannot give this kind of peace; the world’s peace is only surface, apparent and temporary.
God’s peace is deep, abiding, and nothing can take it away. Once we are at peace with God, because we are justified by faith, we are at peace within ourselves down to the core of our being. This is an active peace that brings peace, makes peace and keeps the peace. It is a peace that can be felt at times, but it is a peace that is always abiding whether we feel it or not. It is a peace that passes understanding; it cannot be explained or analyzed. This is Jesus’ peace.
This kind of peace with God, within self and with others abides deep and forever. This kind of peace guards and keeps us. The peace of God prevents the heart from being troubled; it is a powerful peace that is stronger than any trouble that comes through the world or our own flesh from our Enemies. We can count on the promise of peace to not be troubled, ever. We get into trouble all the time, but the peace itself does not allow trouble to penetrate into our inner being where peace abides securely.
This peace will never will never allow our hearts to be afraid, for we know that God is for us and nothing can be against us. Lies will tempt us to fear, but when we turn to the Lord we find peace. “Of whom shall we be afraid?” We will never cease finding things to fear and worry about, but the anxieties are only reminders to pray, turn to Christ, and hear the Gospel. Because of the promise of peace we can overcome trouble and fear. Peace is an overcoming power.