Finding Peace

My Peace, I give you…John 14:27

The Jews would have taken notice of this statement. For God had taken away His peace. For I have taken away My Peace from this people, says the LORD, lovingkindness, and mercies. Jeremiah 16:5. God promised to return His peace, Isaiah 62:1a: For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace… God’s peace returns in Jesus. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. John 16:5a. We need God’s peace. His mercy and His grace.

People are looking for peace in all the wrong places. The peace of God is to be under His care: His lovingkindness, His mercy, and His grace. The world has no authority to grant such peace. Only God. 

Even so, they offer ways to find peace. Yoga, camping, riding a horse, walking a dog, sitting by a babbling creek, etc. These times can be peaceful but they do not give peace. Real peace only comes as a gift from God: My peace, I give you, said Jesus.

Real peace has multiple facets. Real peace restores our relationship with God. Real peace gives us courage. Courage allows us to manage our fears. But, since real peace comes from God, it also provides a healthy fear, Isaiah 57:11: And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, that you have lied, and not remembered Me, nor taken it to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from old that you do not fear Me? 

Not respecting God brings fear. Trusting God brings peace. Real peace comes with the Holy Spirit. John 14: 25-27: These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

If you need a place to think about these things then go there. Know this: the peace we need is not in that place. Peace is in Christ. You are in Christ. You have His peace. Remember this truth. For when we forget, when we have not taken it to heart, we become afraid. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid