Day 15: Peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you …” John 14:27

Have you noticed how many around us lack peace? To have peace means that you will have a calmness about you. You will be free from disturbances or unrest within.

Can you not see how this is also another tool of the devil in our spiritual warfare? This is not just seen in our society and the world around us, but it has infiltrated into our church pews and pulpits today as well. May we seek His peace … a peace that only He can give!

Let us spend some time today meditating on His Word and let the peace of God set us free:

1) James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable …” — Wisdom from where brings us peace? From above. From God. When we seek peace through ourselves, we will never find it. Find it through His wisdom!

2) John 16:33 “… In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — When your world seems to be full of tribulation and heartache, remember who has gone before. He has overcome! He will not leave you there forever! Trust Him!

3) Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” — Who would have ever thought that such beautiful words of peace would be hidden in the book of numbers?! Maybe the hymn-writer who wrote, “Count your blessings name them one by one?” How often we focus on our burdens when God is patiently waiting for us to start counting our blessings instead!

4) Philippians 4:6-7 “… in every thing by prayer … let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” — When the storms of life hit us, we need to fall to our knees in prayer. God gives peace in spite of the storm. He gives peace in the midst of the storm as well. We have been hit with some nasty storms a couple of times this summer. By the way, why do they always come in the middle of the night? When they come, the dog and I start pacing (literally!) and it is not long before I find myself holed up in my prayer closet … well, THE closet, anyways. I do fervently pray there though and it usually is not long before God brings peace. Hallelujah for God’s peace!

I do not know where you are at today, my friend? What storm is raging around you? But, God does know and He is waiting for you to find your prayer closet. He will give you peace that you cannot imagine!

Day 16: The Peace

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of PEACE.” Psalm 37:11

Wednesday night our Pastor preached on peace and so when I got to this verse, guess which word jumped out at me? Peace! One of my absolute favorite hymns is Wonderful Peace by W. D. Cornell. Mr. Cornell was born in Michigan in 1858. The date of his death is unknown, as well as, the date of the writing of this hymn.

Just saying the word peace brings a calmness to my physical and spiritual being. That peace is transcended when I read through the words of this beautiful hymn …

“V1: Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls, o’er my soul like an infinite calm. V2: What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, buried deep in the heart of my soul; So secure that no power can mine it away, while the years of eternity roll. V3: I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control; For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul. V4: O soul are you here without comfort or rest,  marching down the rough pathway of time? Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark; O, accept this sweet peace so sublime. Chorus: Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,     coming down from the Father above; Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.”

Where does peace come from? Not from the world, that is for sure! John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” No, my friend, true peace comes from the Father above. We must put our faith, our trust, and our minds on Him. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Below are some more wonderful verses to meditate on about peace.

· Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

· Galatians 1:3 “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.”

· 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.”

· Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

· Psalm29:11 “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

· Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

Yesterday we spoke about meekness and it being a fruit of the Spirit. Peace is also a fruit of the Spirit. So, it is interesting to see that David referred to both here in this verse … stating that the meek will have an abundance of peace. Is your spirit resting in His peace … the peace that comes from the Spirit within?