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Last night in our small group we studied the 7th Beatitude of Matt. 5:3-10: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be sons of God.” In my studies last week and this week, I have been thinking a lot about what being a peacemaker means and for that matter what “peace” means as it relates to my walk with God and what Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God.” Living in peace, walking in His peace, experiencing His peace, imitating His peace. I do know that before we can experience the peace of God, we must be at peace with God. Initial peace takes place when we acknowledge our sins, believe that Jesus died in our place on the cross, and that we surrender our life to Him in faith. That is making peace with God. That I get, and that I understand.
But, what about the peace of God. Just as Christ’s righteousness is given to us the moment we place our life in His hands, His peace is given to me and you at the same time. And then the life-long process of the peace of God begins—it is an internal, inner peace that comes with a life of sanctification, of growth, of imitating Him. Jesus states in 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.” Jesus is our peace; His peace is dramatically different than the peace the world has to offer (which frankly is no peace at all). Here is how the world views peace? It’s a physical fulfillment to meet emotional or spiritual emptiness—drinking, drug, sex, companionship, money, etc—it is about control, controlling circumstances, controlling other people, controlling things and other people’s things; it is this control they feel will bring them peace. Listen to these profound words of Ray Stedman:
When a worldling is disturbed and upset and troubled he tries to do one of three things. He first tries to change the circumstances, because his peace comes from peaceful circumstances. He can be at peace only when everything is peaceful around him. And so he tries desperately to change the circumstances. But they cannot always be changed. So if he cannot change them he tries to forget them and run away -- go on vacation, go home to mother, take a drug, or get drunk. That forgetfulness is the world's way of finding a degree of peace. If he cannot do that then the third thing he tries is to blame his difficulty on somebody else. It is everybody's fault but his. Thus the worldling seeks peace, but he never finds it that way. So Jesus says, "I'm not going to give you peace that way. Not as the world gives, give I unto you." How does He give it, then? He gives it from within. He gives it as you feed upon His affection and His power. As you reckon His promises to be true and turn the job over to Him and leave it in His hands, then you will have peace."
Can you relate? I certainly know that I do. Remember it is about control. I try to control circumstances. I even blame circumstances. I rationalize: If I can just make it to point X, all will be better. All the while I fail to give it to Jesus; I fail to surrender it all to Him. Often, when I give it (whatever that “it” is), I take it back. No wonder I sometimes struggle with the “peace of God.”
Do you know that there are several thieves that steal your peace and my peace? Here is one: Anxious thoughts. Paul writes in Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. The meaning of the word “anxiety” comes from the Greek word merimna which means “to divide, or draw in different directions” which in the original gives the picture of being pulled apart. The Latin word “anxious” for anxiety means to “to choke or strangle.” Isn’t that what anxious and worrisome thoughts do to us? They choke and steal life, remove joy. We struggle with the peace of Christ because we have the wrong kind of thinking, thinking that pulls us a part, that divides us, that strangles us. We are oftentimes walking “civil wars.” The peace of God through His Son can join us together, which incidentally is what the word peace means in the original Greek (Eirene: binding or joining together what is broken or divided)
So, what is the right kind of thinking to counter the wrong thinking ? Read v. 8 of Philippians 4: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. In addition, go back to v. 6: but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
In everything? What does that mean? All, everything, the whole enchilada, the whole lot, the whole caboodle, the whole ball of wax. We take everything before the thrown of the Almighty. Look at the word “prayer.” I am fascinated by its original meaning. The word comes from the Greek word, proseuche, which means to look at the Character of God, at God as He is, His names, His attributes. That brings a fresh understanding for me regarding prayer. Focus on Him. Examine the Names of God. One of God’s names is Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is Our Peace. Another name, El Elyon, God is Most High or God is Sovereign Over All. Peace is about control; it is about His control, and putting our worries and anxious thoughts the controlling and sovereign hands of the almighty.
In v. 6 when it refers to making our requests know to Him it carries the idea of adoration, devotion, and worship. So, whenever we find ourselves worrying, letting our mind wonder and pull us in all different directions, we ought to get alone with Jehovah Shalom, think on divine things, think on His character, focus on his majesty and greatness.
The following video paints a beautiful picture of the peace of God, the depth of Love that Christ has for us to lead us, to sustain us, to carry us, to give us His peace.
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