Opening Prayer: O, God, you have promised us peace in your Word. We seek that continued peace that is beyond our understanding. We know that the only way to receive Your peace is by being obedient and having faith in You. Help us, O, Lord, to trust in You and not in ourselves. In Jesus name, Amen.
Today’s Bible Verse: Read John 14:26-27.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 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 (NASB).
Associated Scriptures:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control… (Galatians 5:22-23).
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7, KJV).
Supportive Quotes:
In New Testament times, the normal way to say good-bye was Peace (shalom in Hebrew). In His death Jesus provided a legacy for His disciples: My peace I give you. They would have "peace with God" (Romans 5:1) because their sins were forgiven and the "peace of God" (Philippians 4:7) would guard their lives. The world is unable to give this kind of peace. Fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15) and fear of the future are removed as Jesus' followers trust in Him.[1] – John Walvoord
Shalom means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity in the best sense. When you are enjoying God's peace, there is joy and contentment. But God's peace is not like the "peace" that the world offers.[2] – Warren Wiersbe
As we love Jesus, we respond to His commands. As we obey, we draw closer to Him. Step by step, as our love finds growing expression in obedience we journey toward the Lord. And then, we find Him, and realize that He has been with us all the time! What a joy to experience the reality of God manifesting Himself within us.[3] – Larry Richards, Lawrence O. Richards
Biblical Analysis:
Introduction
God is Jehovah-shalom. This name means “the God of peace.” We are meant to know the fullness of God’s perfect peace, or His “shalom.” God’s peace surpasses understanding and sustains us even through difficult times. It is the product of fully being what we were created to be.[4]
Peace without God
I saw a bumper sticker some time ago that said, “No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace.” This truth could not be more profound or more simply stated.
The absence of peace for unbelief began with original sin in the garden (Genesis 3:6). When Adam and Eve were forced to leave the Garden, they left peace behind. In Genesis 3:17, God says, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat food from it all the days of your life.” When Israel moved away from God and worshipped idols, they forfeited their opportunity for peace. “When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none” (Ezekiel 7:25). In Luke 19:42, Jesus came to a place where He could overlook Jerusalem and He wept and said this, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes.”
There is no true peace for unbelievers. So, remember it this way, “No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace.
Peace with God
Peace with God is positional. The verse that best announces peace with God is Romans 5:1 which says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peace is a byproduct of salvation. When we have accepted the gift of salvation, we were given peace with God. We were once at war with God. Colossians 1:21 says, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” However, through the blood of Jesus and the gift of salvation, we are now at peace with God.
Peace of God
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
While peace with God refers to our position because of salvation, the peace of God is a function of our ongoing obedience to God. Peace with God is positional. Due to our redemption, justification, and reconciliation, we have peace with God.
The peace of God is experiential. The peace of God comes through continued prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), repentance (Acts 3:19), and following the will and plan of God (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Spiritual Application:
There is a vast difference between darkness and light. The darkness that is a reality in unbelievers cannot be remedied. There is no peace in darkness. However, believers have a choice to either live in darkness or live in the light. When we live in the light (1 John 1:7), we have fellowship with God and others, and we can not only know the peace of God, we can have and enjoy it.
Lesson Within the Lesson:
How do we receive the peace with God?
How do we access and continue in the peace of God?
Define these two: “Peace with God,” and the “Peace of God.”
Why can’t we find peace without God?
You may contact the author directly at brucehitch@msn.com with comments on this or other articles.
[1] John Walvoord, Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved, p. 324.
[2] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
[3] Larry Richards, Lawrence O. Richards, The Teacher's Commentary. Copyright © 1987 by Chariot Victor Publishing. All rights reserved, p. 743.
[4] The Navigators, Praying the Names and Attributes of God, ©2017 The Navigators. All Rights Reserved., navigators.org/resource/praying-names-attributes-god/.
Mostly Cloudy, 64°