Peace

What are some words that come to mind that are the opposite of peace? Maybe you are thinking fear, worry, anxiety, terror, dread or some other words. We all desire peace in our lives instead of those other emotions and by faith in God we can then obtain His peace.

A very famous hymn, “It is well with my soul,” was written by Horatio Spafford after his four daughters were drown in a tragic ocean liner accident in the late 1800’s. The first stanza says, “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows

roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” God’s peace doesn’t negate the sorrow, suffering and the pain of loss, but it gives to us His comfort and strength which we receive by being in His presence so we are able to continue to trust in Him in all situations of life.

In Judges chapter 6 there was a young man named Gideon who had an encounter with the Angel of the Lord. Gideon was told that God would use him to save Israel from their enemies who were oppressing them. Gideon asked for a sign and he left to bring an offering to the Angel of the Lord. When Gideon returned with the offering and placed it on a rock as he was told, fire came out from the rock and consumed the offering. Gideon then built an altar there and called it Jehovah Shalom which means God is peace.

Jesus said 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God’s peace
our lives is not a happy go lucky attitude where nothing bothers us, but His peace according to Philippians 4:7, “and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” His peace will protect our thoughts and our emotions when we start becoming anxious or when we find ourselves in an extremely troubling situation. With God’s peace we can echo the words of Horatio Spafford, “It is well with my soul.” This special peace is only for God’s children, it is nothing like the world’s peace which is fleeting and has no power at all to cause you to cling tenaciously in faith to the living God.  The apostle Paul ended his second letter to the church in
Thessalonica, and it’s a great benediction for us as well, “Now may the Lord of peace

Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Pastor Marty