Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.” This hymn, composed in 1875 by a minister named Edward Henry Bickersteth, Jr., reminds us that Jesus gives us a peace that the world cannot understand or provide. If you’ve never experienced God’s peace during a stormy time in your life, ask the Lord for it right now. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, not let it be fearful, Jesus said to us in John 14:27 (NASB).
Peace is so easily disturbed. The glassy stillness of a lake on a summer day shatters into ripples at the leap of a tired old bullfrog off the bank, into the water. Riiiiiibbet. So much for peace and quiet. Unforeseen hardship—sickness, death, loss of income, heartache—shatter any semblance of order and peace we thought we had. Disaster strikes—war, 9/11, a worldwide pandemic—and our lives turn upside-down spiraling into turmoil and fear. Where is my footing? Where is the solid ground? Everything seems to be shifting in the world right now. There is too much uncertainty and too many unknowns!
Jesus saw it coming. Even as He hung on the cross and the weight of the world’s sin crushed Him, He knew His death and resurrection would release supernatural life, comfort, and peace to our troubled world. The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give, He said.
Peace, perfect peace. How does such a gift come to us? You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3 NLT. There it is…the key to finding peace! Trust in the Lord and fix your thoughts on Him. He’s the anchor in the storm—not pills, or self-help books, or money or any of the vices we are tempted to turn to in times of turmoil and upheaval.
Do you want peace? Just ask Him for it. Do you love peace? A wonderful future awaits those who love peace (Psalm 37:37 NLT). If your peace level is at a deficit, know that the Lord has a great promise for you: ‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10 NIV). Pursue peace. You won’t be disappointed.