Peace of God

Before Jesus was born, the prophet wrote about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 : For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

If you are troubled by anything that has happened or is happening in your life, then this message is for you: Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Peace and rest is found in Jesus alone; and He is the Answer to the storms that you are facing in your life. 

If you have not yet experienced His salvation, you can come to Him, believing Jesus is the Son of God. And He will wash all your sins away, grant you a new Life here on earth that will last forever.

For those who have believed in Jesus, I say, know that we have a High Priest in Jesus Christ, not in the Levitical order of priesthood, but of a higher order- according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6). Melchizedek means King of righteousness; and he was the king of Salem- meaning peace. And Jesus is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek-He is the Prince of Peace. Now in this light, see that we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses… Jesus wants us to have His peace in all our circumstances and situations. Bless Your children LORD with Your peace!

Jesus spoke to His disciples: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [John 14:27].

If your heart is troubled today, let this verse speak peace to you; it is what Jesus is giving to you. He is able for he is the Prince of Peace; He is willing to give to you that peace that only He can! If you have never experienced His peace, it is time first to experience peace with God.

Once we were far away from God… we had our own plans, own will and own agenda. But through faith in the precious blood of Jesus, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification, we have been brought near to God. Now, through our belief, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

We have been justified not by our ‘good works’. People of this world have problems in accepting the imputed righteousness that comes by belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. They think that one has to strive and undergo penance and pilgrimage, along with good works, to somehow earn salvation. But the good news is that: Jesus died for our sins, He rose again to justify us; we have been declared righteous because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. If you believe that you have peace with God.

Now do not stay in the place of peace with God; but go on to experience peace of God.

Jesus specifically spoke of troubles that His disciples would face. But added: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

His peace is for us-a peace even in the midst of tribulations of this world; a peace that passes all human understanding; a peace that is found IN Jesus alone. This is the peace of God that is given to us. It is wonderful to be saved and experiencing peace with God; but let me explain to you 5 practical steps that you may take to appropriate this peace of God in your lives.

1. Pray

Phil. 4: 6, 7

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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Let your requests, (general and specific,) be made to God (through prayer and supplication, respectively). I love this verse in Philippians, because the whole imagery that crops up in your mind, as you read this verse by Paul, is that of security- a security that comes because of the peace of God. He writes that the peace of God will GUARD our hearts and minds… a peace that surpasses all understanding. You may have seen the bigwigs, political and otherwise, surrounded by armed guards for their security. We have something better as believers, that will guard our hearts- yes, it is the peace of God.

Abandon your worries, and let anxieties cease- as you cast your burdens on the Lord in prayer and supplication. He cares for you-this is the reason why you should cast your burdens on to Him (1 Peter 5:7); do not go about your life thinking that nobody cares! Let thanksgiving abound as you experience the peace of God; gain the insight that He holds the future and He will surely make a way.

2. Believe in God

Jesus said: Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)

Have faith in God. We may not see with natural eyes what God is working in our lives. And we cannot see what will happen tomorrow. But today, experience the peace of God in believing. And let not your heart be troubled.

His word is truth; His promises sure. His thoughts are higher and His works marvellous in our eyes. While you wait for the answer, believe and experience the peace of God. Begin thanksgiving even today-even before you see the answer to your prayer.

3. Walk in God’s ways

You cannot go about doing your ‘routine’ if it is not pleasing in God’s eyes. If God is looking for changes in your doings, here is the rule to measure it- the peace of God. At times, when we are at the wrong place, or in the company of wrong-doers, or when you are looking for a life-partner, look for the peace of God in your hearts. For if it is not of God’s will, He withdraws His peace from within us; and we can know that we are in the danger zone. Col. 3:15 says: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

So, in those times, when you experience a lack of peace in your hearts, heed the warning signal of God; look for what is wrong in your life- and avoid that place, or peers or a wrong relationship, against which God is warning you. Do not go on and fall into a ditch. Be thankful for the peace of God and let it rule your heart always.

4. Ask for the heavenly wisdom

James 3:17 goes like this: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

If you read the previous verses of this chapter, the Bible also talks about earthly, sensual and demonic wisdom. This kind of earthly wisdom is self-seeking, envious and bitter. In your workplace, you will find that people play politics; they gossip for a devious cause and try to make you stumble-and the world thinks that this kind of people who do that are street-smart! Hypocrisy, to them, is not bad at all!

But for us as believers, God’s wisdom is also God’s peace. Short term gains can never compensate what God has planned for those who trust Him. Be gentle and merciful, without hypocrisy in your God-given wisdom. Let peace continue…

5. Seek peace with fellow-men

1 Peter 3:11 encourages us: …turn away from evil and do good; … seek peace and pursue it.

Peter is talking about peace in our relationships. Start with people you are close to-your spouse. Do you seek peace in your relationship? Do not just seek peace, but also pursue peace! What about your relationship with your family members-maybe your children, or your father or mother, or brothers and sisters? The rule is the same: Seek peace and pursue it. Do good!

Also look at Romans 12:18 that says: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Seek peace with your neighbours; peace in your workplace. Jesus said to His disciples during that Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

If you read further in Matt. 5, we can know who the ‘peace-makers’ are-they are those that love their enemies, and pray for those who persecute them. Show love to all unconditionally; for we are sons of our Father in heaven and sons of peace.

Let me close with the benediction found in 2 Thess. 3:16: Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. Amen.

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)