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 peace that the world cannot understand or provide.
If you’ve never experienced God’s peace during a rough 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, nor let it be fearful," Jesus said in John 14:27 (NASB).
Peace is so easily disturbed. On a summer day, the glassy stillness of a lake shatters into ripples at the leap of a tired old bullfrog off the bank into the water. Riiiiiibbet. So much for peace. Unforeseen hardship—sickness, death, loss of income, heartache—shatter any semblance of order and peace in our lives. Disaster strikes—war, 9/11, a worldwide pandemic, an economic crash—and our lives turn upside-down, spiraling into turmoil and fear. Where is our 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, self-help books, money, or any vices we are tempted to turn to in times of trouble.
There's more to the gift of peace that Christ offers. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble, Psalm 119:165 says. Another key to obtaining the gift of peace is to love God's law. Whenever we open the Bible to read and meditate on God's Word, a deposit of peace drops into our souls. The more Bible and truth we have inside, the less likely we are to be offended or easily upset. Things that annoyed us don't anymore. The ground becomes more solid underneath, and our footing is more sure, as we journey through the trials and tribulations of life.
Do you want peace? Just ask the Lord 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. It is God's gift to you.
© 2023, Chris Werre