… peace …
Summary: Peace is something everyone seems to want, but very few people have. God’s peace is something everyone can have if only we will accept it.
The third gift from God that Paul offers in his salutation to Timothy is peace. Like the other two gifts, the peace that Paul is talking about is from God.
Once again, we are confronted with a linguistic challenge.
For those who know God and have experienced his peace, Paul’s words have a meaning based in experience.
For those who have not yet tasted God’s peace, their concept of the word fails to convey Paul’s meaning.
Taste is a personal experience.
Peace is a banquet with something everyone can enjoy. But we can’t enjoy it if we haven’t tasted it.
Paul wants Timothy to have peace and have it abundantly.
He wants that for you and me, too.
Like grace and mercy, this peace is connected to God. Also like grace and mercy, it is a gift — we don’t have to accept it.
Imagine a messenger from God showing up at your door every morning. In his hands is a golden tray. On the tray are grace, mercy, and peace. You don’t have to choose between them. They are all for you. All you have to do is accept them.
The funny thing is that as humans, we are not always willing to do that.
In order to accept God’s gifts, we have to put down what we have in our hands. We have to lay down our worries, our grievances, and our recriminations. All of these are things that make our Selves feel important.
Yet, if we can let go of our pride, our self-importance, and our worries, we will be able to take hold of God’s gift of peace, and oh, what a gift it is!
Like all things, once we have experienced something more than once, it becomes familiar. Even something as amazing as the peace of God can be taken for granted by those who have it. But if we stop and think about it, we realize that the peace is real.
Every day begins with a fresh gift of peace, and every evening ends wrapped in the loving arms of our Father, God.
“And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, RSV)
Application: Accept God’s gift of peace.
Food for Thought: What are some of the benefits you see in accepting God’s gift of peace?
What are some of the benefits you see in accepting God’s gift of peace?
Psalm 29:11, The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Matthew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
John 16:33, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Peace comes to Gods children as we grow in Christ and begin living our lives according to His Sovereign will over our own. Knowing, nothing occurs without Gods approval gives believers a sense of stability as events around us quickly change.
We will stop judging whether or not an event fits within our plans, and instead trust God as we look forward to. “ Where He is going with this one?” God loves His people, seeks only the best for each one of us and the sooner we begin living our lives trusting in Him, irregardless of the circumstances, the sooner we will receive peace.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 37:23, The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;
John 16:13, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Thank you, Ron!
“… the sooner we begin living our lives trusting in Him … the sooner we will receive peace.”
What a great incentive to serve the Lord now! 🙂
Peace replaces the social pathologies of the world: worry, fear, anxiety. Some might say these things are the absence of peace just like darkness is the absence of life. If the peace of God is not present, something else will fill the void – and it won’t be good.
John 14: 27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I find it interesting that when the risen Christ first appeared to His disciples, He said “peace be with you” (John 20: 19 – 21). In fact, He repeated that statement. Thomas wasn’t present and had no peace. As a result of no peace he seemed to have doubt, fear, anger, etc. But when He met the risen Christ and received the peace, all those others things disappeared.
Thanks, Rich!
Thomas is a great example! Thank you!
What are some of the benefits you see in accepting God’s gift of peace?
Something that stands out to me when I think about the question is in decision making. I know it sounds like circular logic to say “I choose to follow God’s Will and I have peace, and when I have peace I choose to follow God’s Will.” But I believe it is a lot like that. Accepting His peace means slowing down, allowing a stillness inside of you, and listening to the Holy Spirit. The next righteous choice becomes evident, and choosing the next righteous choice becomes the imperative. I think the peace comes from knowing that, even though we do not see what is ahead, God does, and we trust that His Will is good for us, and He is leading us to Him. That is peaceful. It doesn’t mean we won’t have to navigate some pitfalls and dumpster fires in life, it just means that we rely on His direction to move us past them, or understand that He may be using these things to build us up. We may not be at peace with the world around us, but the peace inside us overcomes what is outside of us. I would have to say, one of the hallmarks of my walk with the Lord has been that He makes His Will and my will very distinct inside me, so I can recognize both. Most times the turmoil I “feel” is because I know what the righteous choice is, but I want what I want. Surrendering to Him brings me His peace, and in His peace, choosing His Will becomes so much easier.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful
Thank you, Chris!
Your words reminded me of James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
It sounds circular, but it’s not. It is a promise of God’s faithfulness.