PEACE IS A PROMISE TO EVERY BELIEVER

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10

 

Jesus told the early disciples that they would experience problems and that they could have peace in the midst of the turmoil, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  Many years ago, I heard an observation about Christian life that makes a lot of sense.  We all are either heading into, going through or coming out of a trial in our lives.  No one gets through life without a struggle because the refining of our hearts is done through fire.  True lasting peace can only come through Jesus Christ.  It does not come through some person, some thing, some possession, some job, some vacation, some event, or some arranged peace between political allies.  It can only come through a personal relationship through Jesus Christ.  All these other ways are only an illusion—a mirage, and will soon fade because they are not real. 

 

Have you ever been through a difficult time in your life and were able to have a peace that you could not explain?  I have experienced this.  My husband went in for minor surgery and was in the operating room being put to sleep when the doctor’s thought that he had a heart attack.  I was notified what had happened, and that they were trying to stabilize him.  I immediately had a sense of peace, it was like a bubble surrounded me, and no report could sway me that he was not alright.   Had I not been a Christian I would have been petrified of what I was being told.  Instead, God gave me a promise in His Word and I rested in that promise, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).  I refused to be swayed and said, “My husband’s heart is not troubled it is at peace.”   Years later, my husband’s heart is still at peace with no trace or evidence of a heart attack.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

God’s peace is available to anyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  Peace is a promise to every believer and it is your Heavenly Father’s desire for you to have peace, not only through a difficult time, but in your every day life.  His peace is to be the constant state of being for the Christian and is not dedicated by circumstance—good or bad.   Jesus said, “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 145:27).   This is what our Heavenly Father wants for His children—that they walk in peace even in the midst of the storm in their every day lives.

 

This does not mean that sometimes we might feel fear or anxiety; but, for the person of peace, the Holy Spirit’s presence quickly calms the fear and anxiety, and then that person begins to feel the power of the Holy Spirit speaking calm and assurance to their heart. 

 

A deep genuine God-given peace can be the norm for the believer.  It is what God desires for you and me.  God does not desire that your soul be in turmoil, but hat your heart be anchored in peace.

 

Prayer—Father I thank you that my heart is fixed, trusting in You.  I thank You for the Peace that passes all understanding to keep my mind stable and focused upon You.  Holy Spirit I ask You to strengthen and help me to keep my eyes upon Jesus and not the turmoil around me, in Jesus’  Name. Amen.