SCRIPTURE GEMS -- 7

SCRIPTURE GEMS – 7

Who would not want peace in their life?  It seems that life is so full of problems, pain, and/or sorrow, so peace becomes a longing in our heart.  It seems that peace comes for a short time only to round the corner of life to find another problem, etc.  This verse becomes very important as we face life.  Phil.4:7   And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  The Amplified Version may give us a deeper meaning as we study this verse.  7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Contentment is a part of peace.

We have so much for which we can be thankful in Christ Jesus.  Peace is one of them.  If we have truly been born again as Scripture teaches and follow Jesus in doing His will, then we can rest assured of this wonderful peace with God which is beyond human understanding—only understanding with the Holy Spirit in us.  Our hearts and minds will be guarded against the anxiety and guilt that overcomes those in the world.  Rom.5:1   Jesus made this peace for us by giving His blood on the cross.  We were at odds with God but His blood reconciled us to God.  Col.1:20

A person can experience that God-given peace internally even though conflict rages externally.  The Christian armor protects us from these arrows of conflict on the outside as we trust Jesus.  Loving and following God’s Word gives us peace. Ps.119:165   In the opposite way, a person may appear to have peace on the outside but be full of conflict internally.  In time this will affect emotions and even health.

A person who does not follow Jesus will never have lasting peace within.  Scripture reveals this fact in Isa.48:22.  These do not even know the way of peace.  Isa.59:8   Any peace they experience is only temporary.

So many blessings come from having peace with God.  Jer.33:6   A common greeting of Hebrew people then and now is “Salom.”   The meaning of “Salom” as well as “peace” is prosperity, well-being, health, safety, completeness, wholeness, and harmony.  When we wish peace for someone, this is what we wish for them.

As we follow the Lord, we are given peace; however, some warnings are given.  We cannot turn back into sin.  Ps.85:8   Jesus tells us we may have troubles.  These are external.  We can have courage because Jesus overcame. So can we.  Jhn.14:27   An example would be the time the Columbine student faced a gun and was asked if she believed in Jesus.  She said that she did and was shot.  Would we do that?

Not only can we have peace with God; we need to have peace with our fellow man as much as possible.  If not, it should never be our fault.  Followers of Jesus make peace—not destroy it.  Matt.5:9   We are to work for peace, pursue it, go for it with not just friends or relatives (Sometimes these are the most difficult.) but with all men.  Heb.12:14   As the world views those in Christ, this is a characteristic that should stand out.  Peaceful people.

A lovely picture is given in Isa.52:7 of the one who announces peace.  We are told that God will establish peace for us in Isa.26:12.  The Lord will give us strength and bless us with peace.  Ps.29:11   Because of our complete trust in the Lord and the effort of keeping our mind steadfast on Him, He will give us perfect peace.  What a promise!  Remember, we must keep our part.  Isa.26:3

Two words are used in association with peace in Isa.32:17.  We have peace from our works of righteousness; and we have quietness and confidence from the service of righteousness.  Those two characteristics come with peace.  If we truly have a pure heart as we call on the Lord, peace will be one of the traits we pursue. 

2 Tim.2:22

As Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians, he encouraged them to live in peace.  We close with the prayer in Num.6:24.  The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.

May our hearts and minds be tuned to these thoughts.  Phil.4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.