What is Peace ?
Southaven, Ms
By: Mike Upchurch
What is peace? There are many definitions I suppose, but for me peace is the following…..
Peace is pillowing your head at night preparing for a deep and restful sleep, content and secure in the knowledge that answers are coming to the prayers you’ve prayed. Perhaps even those prayed long ago.
Peace is resting without worry, trusting the One in control.
Peace is confidence in your prayers, knowing He will respond; but in His time frame and according to His will.
Peace is a deep and calm manner of breathing; assured the Master is on the scene.
The peace we speak of is not natural, innate, nor cultivated by us. It is a gift from the Lord Jesus. It is not brought about by the purchase of safes or handguns or alarm systems. True peace, the biblical peace we are discussing, comes when you realize the Lord loves you, and is watching over you, and is protecting you.
Peace, the peace that passes all understanding, is only obtained through suffocating the rising flames of fear and doubt with the fire-proof blanket of your trust in Him.
Peace comes from seeing prayer after prayer answered in ways that were the best, not just the answers you sought.
Peace develops when you realize the Lord truly is in control, and He has not only the ability, but also the desire to protect you and keep you.
Peace is a result of knowing the depth of His love for you.
Peace should be sought with all your heart, but in honesty it’s a gift. A gift from the One who continually says to fear not. He then responds to your faith and your trust and your ‘fearing not’ with His peace.
Paul gives us a formula for obtaining peace…..
“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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
David also gives us a path to peace. He recorded this promise in his Psalm, instructing us how to garner His grace, mercy and peace, which will be wrapped in His lovingkindness…..
“But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them.”
Psalms 103:17-18
So it is gifted in our fear or awe of Him, in our heart of thanksgiving, in our keeping of His Covenant, and in doing His precepts, which are His decrees and commands. That obedience ensures we will have His peace. That by the way is a heart of worship; the heart that is in awe of Him and obedient to Him. That is a clear path to peace.
Jesus said this….
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 14:27
That is crucial that we are not fearful!! We are told to ‘fear not’ over 80 times in Scripture! Your fear is actually disobedience, and that disobeying will not bring peace, but strife!
The contrast to a peaceful heart is a heart filled with stress, fear, worry, and anger. A tormented heart such as that will lead to restless sleep, jumbled nerves, illness, anxiety attacks, broken relationships, jealousy, heart attacks, even death! And worry and stress can certainly lead to spiritual death!
I have been involved in racing most of my adult life. The person who is no longer able to race due to fear is described as one who “lost his nerve”. You may have lost your nerve in other things. Perhaps you fear sickness or poverty or job loss. Maybe you fear a mate leaving, or fear what may ultimately happen to a wayward child. Only Christ can calm your nerves and bring you to the place of confidence and trust you need to fight your fears, no matter what you’re facing.
Strive to be filled with peace; strive to trust God in ALL your ways, that His peace might be yours. Strive to fear not!
True peace comes from total trust in Him, and it produces a content and satisfied heart.
And that’s the way I see it!
Pastor Mike
