To know God is to know Peace
- Heather Williams
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Anxiety. Fear. Worry. Stress. It’s all around us. It swirls fast like a tornado in the busyness of life. Sometimes, I get overwhelmed when there is too much going on or too many questions asked of me without answers or solutions to be given. The source of these threats to my mental peace of mind are attacks from the adversary. [Sorry, Dorothy, but I don’t need to travel to the Emerald City in Oz to ask for help].
I know the Prince of Peace, Yeshua, the Captain of the Storm. I can ask Him to calm my soul with the Peace that Surpasses all understanding.
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. [John 14:27]”
Philippians 4:6-7 AMP
But to know I have peace of God, I need to understand what “peace” is.
Until the mid-1300s, “peace” in English was merely a pact between two warring tribes. Peace defined as a “freedom from disorder or the internal peace of a nation” (https://www.etymonline.com/word/peace). It was an agreement to stop physical violence against one’s enemy. However, these pacts were often temporary and the fear of retaliation remained like the Christmas Truce of 1914 during WW1. Fighting ceased. Carols were sung. But, It only lasted 3 days. (www.iwm.org.uk).
Temporal.
That is not the kind peace I want. I seek the peace that is eternal.
For many middle eastern cultures greeting each other in peace is prevalent. “Saalam” in Arabic, “Shlama” in new Aramaic, “Namaste” in India, and in Hebrew “Shalom aleichem”. This phrase is how Paul begins and ends his letters. It literally translates to “well-being upon you”! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalom)
This kind of peaceful greeting is like saying, “have a nice day”. [thanks, Bon Jovi; but I need more than well-wishes].
Peace is to some the absence of arguments. To others it is the calm before the storm. Still others liken peace to resting, being still or meditation.
According to Phil. 4:7, the peace of God will guard and protect my mind like a helmet. Peace is a refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Peace is a shield. It is the ability to be levelheaded amidst adversity like Daniel in the Lions Den. It is is Yeshua sleeping on the boat during a raging storm on the Sea of Galilea trusting his Abba Yahweh with his life.
Peace is not passive. It is an active fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is the ability to go into dangerous situations with the understanding that “God’s got you” to serve those who need Jesus. Peace is an active part of the armor of the Lord.
“and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. [Is 52:7]”
Ephesians 6:15 AMP
To know the peace of God, one must be in a healthy relationship with Jesus.
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