One of Jesus’ titles is “Prince of Peace”. (Isaiah 9:6) When He was born, the angels declared from Heaven: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” (Luke 2:14) The Hebrew word for “peace”, shalom, is often used as a salutation and means wholeness, health, prosperity, etc. It is a way to bless those you meet, as you come in and as you go out. Jesus, as being the Prince of Peace, is the embodiment of this divine nature. He came to earth to establish a Kingdom governed by righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17) This peace is not an absence of war, but is the spiritual harmony experienced by one’s restoration with God.
When Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you…”, He is making a distinction between peace, as an absence of external conflict, and the inner tranquillity that can only come from God. (John 14:27) The world does not understand this kind of peace, even though people strive after it in so many ways. Jesus goes on to say that in the “world” there is tribulation. (John 16:33) That is to say that we should not expect our peace to come from circumstances. Peace that comes from God is not conditioned by what is happening around us. We can experience His peace in the midst of the storm. The peace of God rules over the oscillations of human emotions and from a position of being seated with Christ in the heavenly places, above the adversities of life.
Peace gives us the ability to respond instead of reacting. This may seem impossible, especially when provoked, but it is how we are to live. Jesus never said it would be easy, but He did say He would help. When we feel anxious about anything, when we feel like lashing back and returning evil for evil, we are to pray to the Lord, that He would give us His peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) When Jesus was placed before the tribunal of Pilate, being falsely accused by the Jewish Sanhedrin, He kept silent. The Roman governor was amazed. (Matthew 27:14) Most would react with counter accusations or pleas of innocence, but Jesus kept His “cool”. Peace was ruling in His heart. When He did speak, Pilate’s response was: “I find no fault in him.”
Peace comes from knowing in whom you believe. Anxiety usually is the result of circumstances that are beyond our control; like the future, others’ acceptance of us, or today’s economy. When we surrender ourselves to God, we discover the One who loves us as we are, who knows the future, and is able to supply all our needs. Just knowing that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us is enough to fill our soul with peace. Fear is a spirit and is never from the Lord. (2 Timothy 1:7) So when you sense a lack of peace and fear rising up, rebuke it in the name of Jesus. Confess you trust in the Lord, knowing that the “God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)
Over and again, the Bible refers to the Lord as the God of Peace. The fear of death holds so many in bondage, and yet as the God of Peace raised Jesus from the dead, He will do the same to each one of us who believe in Him. (Hebrews 13:20) His Peace will equip us for every good work and will cause us to triumph over all our enemies. This is why His peace passes all understanding. It is so all-encompassing, and it is ours.
Scriptures to meditate on: Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 5:9; John 14:27; 16:33; Romans 5:1; 8:6; Philippians 4:7