Peace, Perfect Peace
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. John 14:27 (ESV)
Praise the Lord everyone! As this year comes to an end, we thank God for his love and protection. Thus far He has brought us and He will continue to see us through. We have gone through tremendous challenges but despite this we still praise God. His word says “I will praise the Lord at all times” (Ps 145:1).
In the next two weeks we shall be celebrating Jesus birth into this world. One of attributes of Jesus prophesied by Isaiah is that He shall be called the “prince of peace”. It is a fitting description. In between his betrayal and his crucifixion (John 13 to 17), Jesus spent time with His disciples comforting them, encouraging them and strengthening them. This is remarkable considering He was about to be betrayed by his closest friends and would shortly undergo one of the most painful punishments known to man - crucifixion. I don’t know what you would do if you discovered that (a) your nearest and closest friends were about to betray you and (b) you are just about to go through the most painful experience imaginable. Very few people would do what Jesus did i.e. strengthen and pray for His followers. It is worth spending some time meditating on what He said to them.
One of the key promises that Jesus makes during this difficult time is that He would give His disciples peace. He says in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. The peace that Jesus gives us is an unusual peace – “not as the world gives” but rather, a supernatural peace – from the Prince of peace himself. Jesus calls it “my peace”. He used the word shalom (in Hebrew) which according to bible dictionaries, means “security, safety, prosperity”. It also means “the restful or quiet state of the soul, when it is assured of its salvation through Christ, and therefore fears nothing from God and is content with its earthly lot”.
Is it possible to be peaceful, restful during these troubling times? In the midst of uncertainty can we have security and prosperity? Can we talk of safety when we are surrounded by news that continuously points towards dire predictions? Well – Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The peace He promised his disciples is still the same peace that he promises us.
The last sentence in the key verse of John 14:27 helps to explain how we can possess this supernatural peace. Jesus tells his followers – “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. This statement does not mean we numb ourselves to the troubles that surround us. It does not mean we “wish them away”. It does not mean we passively accept whatever will be will be.
The instruction Jesus gives is in fact a call for action. “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” means you and I have a role to play in securing peace in our hearts and therefore in our lives. This call for action can be better understood when we read Proverbs 4:23 which says “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life” (AMPL). According to this verse, we are to guard our hearts the same way security personnel are kept on high alert to guard a territory or country especially during a perceived threat.
The story of Nehemiah and how he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem is an example of how to stay on guard whilst doing what God has assigned you to do. Nehemiah and his fellow Jews were in the process of building the broken walls of Jerusalem when the enemy threatened to interrupt and stop the works. Nehemiah dealt with this threat by arming his teams, and remaining vigilant. Each builder had to have his weapon on hand and stay alert. If the alarm indicating an attack was in progress went off, the builders would rush to defend whichever part of the wall was being attacked. This state of readiness continued until the wall was eventually rebuilt.
We too must go about our daily assigned businesses as best as we know how but remain vigilant in our hearts – never give in to the enemy’s threats of discouragement, worry, anxiety etc. Why and how should you guard your heart? Well - the spiritual things that God promises such as love, joy, peace are received and flow through your heart. When your heart is not guarded it will instead absorb any and all kinds of things that enter it. The negative and pessimistic news, the enemies lies, the temptations to be discouraged or give up can enter through our minds and into our hearts and create attitudes such as worry and anxiety. Worry and anxiety will then stifle or block the flow of peace from the Holy Spirit. It is no surprise therefore that Isaiah mentioned the key to perfect peace is to keep your mind (the gateway of your heart) stayed on God (Is 26:3).
I believe it was very intentional that the last words Jesus speaks to His disciples before His betrayal, are words of peace, words of victory. He said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It is also no coincidence that the very first words that Jesus speaks to His disciples after His resurrection are words of peace. “Shalom” (peace) be with you…” (John 20:19-21). Jesus promises us supernatural peace in a world that constantly challenges us. His promises are always yes and Amen. We need to guard our hearts vigilantly and keep our minds stayed on Him in order to secure this peace.
Shalom (peace) to everyone! Amen!
Questions for meditation / discussion
Read John 16:33 and Isaiah 26:3
What does it mean when Jesus says “in me you may have peace”?
What does it mean to have your mind stayed on God?
Share a trial or challenge which you are undergoing. How can you secure peace in view of Jesus’s words in John 14:27?
Prayer Points
Pray for peace in Uganda and in countries around the world.
Pray for peace in our families
Thank God for the gift of His Son – who brought us peace.
