Photo by Jonathan Meyer on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
We’ve looked at fear and worry and anxiety. We’ve seen how faith and hope work to relieve us of those rotten emotions. Living in faith, and not losing hope, leads to the ultimate, and God ordained outcome, of peace.
Jesus, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, gives us the ability to have peace even when it looks like the world is crumbling around us. A peaceful spirit is often described as a quiet mind. This is a spiritual condition that says no matter what the world throws at me I will not be shaken. It gives us the ability to think rationally, in wisdom and knowledge instead of letting anxiety rob of us good and Godly decisions.
Jesus gives us His peace when we believe in Him as Lord and Savior.
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
No fear, no worry, no anxiety. Those are the devil’s tools to disrupt our faith and hope in Christ. Those are the antithesis of the peace we receive when we trust in God.
Peace is one of the pieces of Holy Spirit armor we can put on. Paul describes it as our shoes. When our feet hurt our whole body is in pain and can’t function properly. We’ve all had a pair of bad shoes that cause us to worry about blisters and cuts, sometimes to the point of shutting us down. When we walk in God’s peace our whole body is at peace and we will not fall to worry, fear or anxiety.
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165
When asked to describe God most will say He is love, or a God of love. However, Paul expands that definition. God is a God of love and peace. In Him we are given His love and peace.
Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
Decades ago, when peace was synonymous with a quiet mind, an unknown poet penned these words.
I have many a cross to take up now,
and many left behind;
But present troubles move me not,
nor shake my quite mind.
And what may be tomorrow’s cross
I never seek to find;
My Father says, “Leave that to me,
and keep a quiet mind.”
Prayer: Lord thank you for the peace you give me. It is a peace so indwelling in my spirit that I am not shaken when faced with trials as I trust in you. My faith and hope are in you. I thank you for your gracious gift of salvation and the peace and love that comes with it. In Jesus’ name, amen.