Perfect Peace

For about ten years of our married life, Gene and I would often fly back to the states from our home in the Pacific.  Flying time was usually about a total of 18 hours, one way. I had no fear of flying at first, but after a few years of this I started to get worried. My growing fear began to eat away at my trust in the heavenly Father to keep me safe always.

Living with any kind of fear is NOT the way of life for God’s children. But what could I do? I had to fly on an airplane, a boat would have taken about three weeks! I’m happy to say that I found the beginning of my answer in this verse:

Isaiah 26:3 [English Standard Version]:
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Peace—that unshakable calm, free of fear or anxiety—the result of a complete confidence in the care of my heavenly Father for me. That was what I needed! But what would it take for me to become unshakably peaceful? It required me (and still does to this day) to stay my mind on God and trust in Him.

Jesus Brings Peace

Peace is what every single one of us needs as we live each day in this world. Why? Because no one can avoid the world’s tribulation. Jesus made this clear, and at the same time told all who listen where they could find God’s perfect peace—in Christ himself.

John 16:33:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Previously, Jesus had spoken to his followers of the peace they would have in him, even though he would no longer be physically present with them on earth.

John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The adversary moves his purposes in the world in order to steal, kill, and destroy through doubt, anxiety, fear—and even terror and despair. But Jesus Christ came to bring peace to those on earth who would believe and trust in him.

Luke 1:79:
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Knowing the Peace that Christ Brings

Yet, in spite of all God’s promises of peace fulfilled in the life and crucifixion of Jesus, soon after his death, his followers were not peacefully anticipating his resurrection. Even after certain of the women had been told by angels that he was risen from the dead, and after Simon Peter had witnessed the empty tomb, and after Jesus had appeared in his resurrected body to Mary Magdalene, and after Cleopas and his companion had met Jesus himself on the road to Emmaus where he had revealed himself to them—even then many were still doubting and fearful.

Luke 24:36-39:
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

They were terrified and afraid and thought they had seen a spirit! No wonder Jesus’ first words to this gathering of eleven of the apostles were, “Peace be unto you!” John 20 describes this same event where the disciples “were assembled for fear of the Jews.” Once again, the risen Christ quiets their hearts with, “Peace be unto you.”

John 20:19-21:
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

With the Messiah’s work of atonement complete, the disciples could now have God’s peace through their lord, Jesus Christ. They were sent forth to preach this wonderful new peace, and preach it they did.

Acts 10:36 [ESV]:
As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).

Staying Peaceful in a Troubling World

We have peace with God by the faith of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). But when trials and troubles arise in our lives, we may not realize God’s peace within. Why? The scripture explains:

Romans 8:5,6 [ESV]:
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 

Right! We’re back to Isaiah 26:3—where is your mind? Is it focused on what your five senses are telling you, or on the peace of God that is spiritually and rightfully yours by the finished work of Jesus Christ? (Ephesians 2:13,14). You choose.

When you choose rightly, God’s peace will guard your heart through Christ Jesus. Just follow these instructions:

Philippians 4:6-9:
Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

This is our deliverance from the agitations, the anxieties, the fears that our adversary would like to torment us with.

Romans 15:13 [ESV]:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

And this is my prayer for us all, that through the power of the holy spirit, we will abound in hope with all joy and peace in believing!