Peace, the word itself, evokes the thought of tranquility and the absence of war, as well as it should. However, most think of peace and war in the physical realm. This verse is referring to the inward peace that only God can give. It is a peace that allows us to have an inward stillness, not because of a great army but because of the great captain of the host. This first account is in Joshua 5:15, where Jesus appears and proclaims that he is there for his people. To fight for them. They were getting ready to take Jericho. At this moment, Joshua, as he should, was seeking God alone for help.
Joshua 5:13-15 “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? and the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Lose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”
In John 14:27, Jesus is preparing to leave his disciples and return to the Father. Jesus assures them he will send the comforter, and they will have peace. Peace with God, and the peace of God.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
He assures us of that peace if we are truly His. If we are not, we are his enemy.
James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Enemy or Friend, which will it be? If you are an enemy, you are in a battle you cannot win. He who picks a fight, knowing he will lose, is a fool! You are waging war with a God who knows all, created all, and is everywhere. He made a way for you to be his friend and not his enemy. If you are his enemy, you have chosen a losing path.
I prefer to be called God’s friend. Wow, what a privilege he gives us! He welcomes us at our moment of salvation to become not only his friend but also his child—a joint heir with his Son, Jesus Christ. Meditate on that thought. Truly trust him, and there will be a peace that this world cannot shake. Oh, Satan will try, but remember, “Greater is he that is in you than He that is in the world.”
I John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
God is on your side, and he has given us all we need to remain at peace with him. He has also equipped us to remain calm in times of trouble. It is our flesh that draws us away from perfect peace. If you are torn and in distress, he is still there. If you feel you have no peace, it is you who has moved. Ask forgiveness for not feeling secure and trusting Him because he has promised he will never leave us or forsake us.
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Are you quivering inside, has Satan filled your heart with doubt? Stop and recall your salvation and claim his promises. Peace is a matter of believing God! He is the truth, and Satan is the father of lies. Which one will you believe today?
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
No greater peace can be found than knowing that, no matter what we face, God is in control. He will guide us through, and we can rest assured that he will not desert us like a cowardly soldier or lose his life in battle.
I choose to be on the Lord’s side, to remind myself he is in control and will grant me the ability to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit peace that he has placed within me.
Galatians 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
