3-12-14 Peace

True peace is that quietness of heart and soul that only God can bring to a life. It is unrelated to the circumstances or situations in that life. It is the deep settled confidence in the promises of God. We know, according to Isaiah 57:21, that "there is no peace, saith The Lord, to the wicked". In His Word, however, God tells me of the two kinds of peace that believers know. The first is the positional peace that comes at salvation. Romans 5:1 is clear that "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:13 teaches us that the God of hope fills us with "joy and peace in believing"... The second is the practical "perfect peace" that comes to the believer whose "mind is stayed" on the Lord. The Apostle Paul would remind us in Philippians 4:7 that ..."the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." That kind of peace, as seen in the three previous verses, is a by-product of finding our joy in Jesus, living in constant awareness of the presence of God, and having a prayer life of supplication with thanksgiving. How shall I reconcile these promises with my anxieties and discouragement ?  The initial reconciliation, of course, is personal faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary for my sin. As a believer, however, it must always be the identification, repentance and correction of my failure to stay my mind on the Lord, rejoice in Him, be aware of His presence and power, or demonstrate fervency in my approach to the throne of grace. Lord, help me to keep my mind fixed on You, and to walk in Your ways today, so that I know and show Your peace.

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