PERFECT PEACE

Turmoil is unavoidable in our world. "...in the world ye shall have tribulation..." John 16:33. But in Isaiah 26:3 the prophet voiced a wonderful promise worth remembering every day, especially in the middle of life's storms: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee." Amen. God is the source of our peace, the One who holds us steady when everything around us is faltering and the foundations are shaking.

There are two kinds of peace mentioned in the Bible. There is peace with God. The kind of peace which comes only when we believe that Jesus died for our sin. "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1. Before God opened the way back into a relationship with himself through his Son, we were God's enemies "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled" Colossians 1:21. We were alienated from God, hostile toward Him, in spiritual turmoil, at war with our creator.

Then there is the peace of God. When we enjoy a relationship with Him, we can lay ALL of our anxieties and confusion before him in prayer, learning to trust him with everything, and he will give us inner tranquility that cannot be explained or understood. It just is. "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth ALL understanding shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7. No matter what the tragedy, the death of a parent or child, the loss of a job, the diagnosis of a terminal illness, the lives of God's people are undergirded, held up, strengthened, by the steady assurance he is continually at work behind the scenes to fulfill his perfect purposes for his creation. Each one of us.

God's peace is perfect, complete, all we need in any given situation. As we learn to trust God, he blesses us with his peace, "The Lord will give strength unto his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace" Psalm 29:11. Relying on God and his wisdom is the only choice that will never disappoint us, the only option that teaches us godly wisdom. Only when we turn to Jesus can we enjoy the certainty that our salvation is real, "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2. and gain the repose that comes from answered prayer (Philippians 4:6-7..quoted above).

Peace is so intrinsic to the nature of God that the Bible uses it as his name. The Father is the "God of Peace" Philippians 4:9 and Jesus the Messiah is the "Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6. Finally God the Holy Spirit is the One who produces peace in our lives. "For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" Romans 8:6, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23.

Jesus said, "Peace i leave with you, my peace i give unto you, not as the world giveth, giveth i unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 Amen, amen and amen.