The Peace of God

Like the falling rain on the parched ground so is the peace of God to a thirsty soul, life giving. As Paul states in Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I fear that the peace of God is allusive to many a Christian soul. Man only understands peace when his outward environment is with out conflict. But many a Christian never experiences the peace of God because the environment of their heart and mind is in conflict with the world.

Man understands peace, in a general sense as a physical state of quiet and tranquility. The peace of God moves at a deeper level, like hidden rivers which flow under the ground. The peace of God is a freedom from the agitation or disturbance of our passions, freedom from fear, anger, hatred, anxiety or the like. The peace of God is calmness of the mind and heart, tranquility and serenity of our very being. This is what man wants, and few Christians have.

Until the righteousness and peace of God embrace with a kiss in our heart and mind, we will never find peace. Dare you think I used an analogy not inspired by the breath of God read Psalm 85:10.

What can illustrate this holy kiss? I think the psalmist had in mind the cross on which Jesus died. The righteousness of God in Christ embraced mans eternal peace when Jesus died on the cross. Was this very thought not spoken by Isaiah in 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

It would take no less then a volume of books to talk about the many aspects of the peace of God. The purpose of this short piece serves only to fan the fire of peace that dwell in all of us, in hopes that the flames grow higher.

By Ken Matthews

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