The Peace That Passes Understanding…

With the uncertainty and difficulties of life being evident, peace is something that everyone desires yet most never receive. True peace is something that can only come from God. It cannot be attained, achieved, earned, or purchased. It must be given to us from the God of peace. In the Old Testament one of the names of the Lord is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). In the New Testament it says that; “He Himself (Jesus Christ) is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).

The Bible teaches us that there is a peace that passes all understanding. It is a peace that can guard our hearts and our minds. In Philippians 4:4-9 it says;

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.”

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

From this portion of Scripture we learn that in order for the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds we must first rejoice in the Lord. This means knowing Him, accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, and then rejoicing in Him; Praise Him and thank Him for your life. Through this relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ we can attain a gentle spirit within ourselves, and this gentleness will be the evidence of our relationship with Him, before the people in our lives.

Next we see that when difficulties arise we are not to be anxious about it; but we are to pray to the Lord, making our petition and requests known before Him, and thanking Him in advance by faith for what He is going to do on behalf of our prayers to Him. When we do this; “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Lastly we see that the Apostle Paul is instructing believers in what their actions and thoughts must be in order to have true peace. He teaches that our minds are to be set on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This means putting our focus on things that are good and from God, and not on the things of this world. Then the Apostle Paul says that what we have learned or received or heard from him, or seen in him; we are to put it into practice. Paul was their minister and their spiritual leader; he was their example in Christ Jesus. He was instructing them that they needed to serve Jesus Christ like he did and live a life of purity and integrity like he did; then “the God of peace would be with them” (Philippians 4:9).

Today we encourage you to seek the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, and receive His peace for your life this day. The Lord desires you to walk in peace in your life; and by your obedience to Him, and by keeping His commandments, you can receive this peace. Also, God desires us to put into practice what those He has raised up in our midst, His ministers, have taught us and shown us by their example. If you do this then “the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

You can start by praying this prayer aloud to Him;

Dear Lord Jesus,

I ask that You would forgive me of my sins and wash me clean with Your blood. Forgive me for not walking in Your ways and keeping Your commandments. Forgive me for not obeying Your ministering servants who You have sent to help lead, guide, and direct me, into Your ways. Help me to live a life of purity and integrity so that I can receive Your peace that passes all understanding, and have You the God of peace be with me all the days of my life.

In Jesus Mighty Name I Pray,

Amen