“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
One of the great gifts that God gives us when He makes our heart His home is the gift of peace. Shalom! Peace is an amazing thing. And it is an amazing work of God to bring peace to a heart that knows no peace. Sin wreaks havoc in our lives to the point where our hearts become full full of fear and worry and despair and confusion… and death. But God changes all this. There are several ways he goes about His work of transformation.
1) He reconciles us to Himself – Reconciliation is the God-initiated act of bringing about peace between Holy God and wretched sinners. Through the cross and the shed blood of Christ He declares that sin is forgiven and that those who profess their allegiance to Him by faith are no longer enemies but friends. And even more than that – children and heirs. This is the magnanimous work of grace that God does in the lives of unbelievers.
2) He empowers us with peace – This is the magnificent work that God does in the lives of believers. As we pray and relinquish to Him the fear and the worry and the despair, His promise is to fuel us by His Spirit with a peace that is beyond our understanding. Those who do not know Christ have no idea what this is like. But those who do know Him are enabled to experience peace when it seems humanly impossible. It is an amazing gift.
This is just one more “brick” that goes into the building up of believers. Listen to God’s Word regarding this brick:
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. John 14:27
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:19-20
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16