John 14:27 NASB “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.”
Peace is not absence of troubles, but tranquility in the mist of all situations. It is absence of confusion. It means that we are not without comfort and direction in every circumstance. It is a calmness of the Spirit. This type of peace is constant and always. We don’t loss it.
This was the peace that was promised in many places in the Old Testament books, even though it was concealed as a mystery and expressed in types, shadows, and dark sayings (Numbers 25:12; Leviticus 26:6; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 37:11; Psalm 72:3,7; Psalm 122:7; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 54:10,13; Isaiah 60:17; Isaiah 66:12; Ezekiel 34:25; Ezekiel 37:26; Jeremiah 4:10; Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 8:15; Jeremiah 14:13; Jeremiah 23:17; Jeremiah 28:9; Jeremiah 33:6; Nahum 1:15; Haggai 2:9; Malachi 2:5-6).
Zechariah the priest prophesied and explained that Jesus was the peace God promised his people of Old (Luke 1:67-79). Angels announced the same at his incarnation (Luke 2:14). The Apostles, also let us know that the peace of God through the gospel of Jesus is the fulfillment of those prophecies and promises of Old (Acts 10:36; Acts 13:32).
Again, our Lord Jesus talked about the fact that believers in him would have this peace. Although we will have troubles in this world, the believer should not be shaken by those. Why? Because Jesus has given us his peace.
He demonstrated such peace when he and his disciples were caught up in the tempest of the sea (Matthew 8:24 – 26; Mark 4:37-39) and at other times when he was faced with opposition, trouble, persecution, threats, and even lack. He was calm and knew what to do (Matthew 26:63; Luke 9:51-56, among many references).
Jesus did not promise a life without troubles. Rather, he said we should not allow our hearts to be troubled in the mist of troubles. This he knew we could do because of the kind of peace he gives (John 14:27; John 16:33).
Any message that promises stress-free life without troubles in every area is not the true gospel.
The devil is the god of this world. The world is in a state of disorder. It is fallen, broken, and aging. The world and its systems throw things at us. Our bodies are still mortal. Things do not always work out as we plan them. Our expectations are not always met. Yet, we don’t give up on God or on life because of those contrary circumstances.
In fact, some people that have the things we desire, or have attained positions we aspire towards, are still not satisfied. They do not have this inner peace. Our external conditions do not define us.
We should not measure ourselves against the standards of the world or be comparing ourselves with others. While we are grateful for good things of life and for relationships and aspire for the better, our peace is not in things, but in him. He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
True peace comes from God. The Bible calls our Father the God of all peace (Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1Thessaolnians 5:23; 2Th_3:16; Hebrews 13:20). The Father is the author and giver of peace.
Jesus was identified in the prophecies as the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:5; Zechariah 6:13) He is peace both in heaven and on earth (Luke 2:14; Luke 19:38). He is that gift of peace.
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