How do you define peace? Is peace the absence of conflict? Is peace an emotion? Is peace a state of mind?
“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)
“If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” – Thomas Watson
The Hebrew expression for peace is Shalom. It is one of the most commonly known words that is used as a greeting and farewell. Shalom can be translated as peace, prosperity, and wholeness or well-being. The Aaronic benediction invokes a blessing of peace and hope for God’s people, “The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace’” (Numbers 6:24–26).
In John Chapter 14, Jesus was about to leave His disciples who were very troubled by His departure and He said, “My peace I give to you, not as the world gives.” If Jesus left us His peace then where is it? The peace that Jesus speaks of is wholeness with God. It is a peace that unites us with God and calms the troubled heart in the face of fear and anxiety. It is His peace that is given to all believers through the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a peace that guards your hearts and minds as Paul would say, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:7). It is divine peace that goes beyond human understanding when life doesn’t make sense because God is always in control. It is a peace that literally garrisons your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. It is His peace that stands on duty to keep you and keep out anxiety. If you have Jesus you have His peace, it is a gift given to you. If you don’t have Jesus you don’t have peace and never will. True peace is only found in knowing Jesus.
Pastor Cary Wacker