Perfect Peace
Since day one our Lord constantly proclaimed His peace to us as our birthright; not always outwardly, but inwardly. Divine peace is priceless. Nothing on earth is to be compared to it. When we are in the peace of God a sense of well-being carries us regardless of circumstances.
Conversely, when we feel we have somehow lost His peace nothing seems right no matter how wonderful our natural conditions may be.
Let us talk about this extraordinary gift the Father wants for us but curiously eludes us at times – especially in these end days.
We are told in the bible that Jesus “is” our peace, that He Himself is our well-being and security. (Ephesians 2:14) He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and when He died for us we legally inherited His peace. “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27 AMPC
As we unpack this passage, we see profound Truths. The word “now” means now…not then, or in the future, but right this very moment Jesus gives His peace to you. We know to “bequeath” a thing means that something is given, handed down, left, upon someone’s passing, as in a will. Upon Jesus’ death and resurrection, we were willed our Lord’s peace. As His child, we now rightfully possess His peace, and no one can legally take it from us.
“Not as the world gives do I give to you.” Jesus is not an untrustworthy giver. He does not tell us He has given something to us, and then take it back from us later. He does not leave His peace with us one day because we earned it but then takes it back from us another day when we have performed less stellar.
So why do we seem to experience His peace at times in our lives and other times not? He has promised to never leave us and clearly told us He already left (bequeathed) His peace with us and will not take it back. So, what’s it all about?
I believe there are a few scenarios in answer to such an important question. For now, let us be forever cognizant of the Truth that we have an archenemy in the spirit realm who wants nothing less than to kill, steal, and destroy God’s children. Since he cannot harm our Lord directly, he tries to harm Him indirectly by hurting His loved ones.
Furthermore, if Satan cannot physically remove a child of God from this earth, he will attempt to implement plan B, which is to steal his or her peace and joy, lie about God’s true character and love, and make us ineffective for the Kingdom.
We are consequently told by Jesus to not “let” our hearts be troubled, neither “let” them be afraid. “Let” implies authority, permission. Jesus will never tell us to do something He does not gives us the grace and tools with which we need to do it. We have been given authority in the Kingdom to stop the trouble and fear coming at us by not succumbing to the enemy’s tactics. We have the tools of the Spirit in the way of the Word of God, the blood of the Lamb, the name of Jesus, and the Spirit of God who lives within us. All available to us through complete surrender.
We are told to put on God’s armor so that we can stand up against all of darkness’ stunts and are then told, “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents (people)], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
There is a “warfare of peace” that Joyce Meyer talks about in her book, “Reduce Me to Love.” In it we see that living and remaining in the Lord’s peace in and of itself empowers us and defeats the enemy of our souls. We know the Lord tells us in John 14:27 to “[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
Jesus said we were given the peace of God upon His death and that we are now to employ our faith, which only works through love (Galatians 5:6), by putting on God’s armor. One aspect of our armor is to shod our feet with the gospel of peace, and another is to take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (please see Ephesians 6: 10-18)
We have our part to play in victorious Christian living but the beauty of it is we are told our God supplies what we need for us to do it. It’s about surrendering to Him, and all His ways, and laying our own ways down at His feet. It is not by our might or power, but by His Spirit that our part is accomplished. (Zechariah 4:6) What a beautiful Lord we have, what a magnificent God of love, mercy, peace, and grace we serve.
Let’s pray:
Father God, thank you so very much for the priceless gift of your Son and His peace. Nothing can compare to your loving goodness in giving us your peace in our hearts regardless of circumstances. Lord, we need more of your grace and wisdom to enable us to live, walk, and move in your peace day in and day out. You said in your Word that in the last days trouble will be multiplied such that “Men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter.”
But for your precious children you tell us that “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Thank your Holy Spirit for guarding our hearts and lives and, by your perfect love and mercy, keeping us in your eternal peace.
Blessed be your name forever, Lord Jesus, Amen!
Linda S. Churchwell is an award-winning Christian author, animal advocate, patriot,
speaker, and Founder of the United Christians of America,UCA
