The Peace of God
The peace of God is that wonderful state of mind that the Lord wants all his people to continually experience. A lack of peace is simple to diagnose as its sufferers become easily angry and upset and see many problems around them. They readily see the faults of other people. The state of peace can come and go but we should remember the saying of an old negro preacher who said,
“If God seems a long way off, who do you think moved?”
What is the ‘Peace of God’?
According to the Bible, the peace of God, which “surpasses all understanding,” is the harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit that can overcome all earthly circumstances.
Nearly all of the letters of Paul start with the meaningful phrase that reminds us of the source of this peace,
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Throughout Scripture, we find that peace is defined as a blessing from God that is given to those who keep living in close harmony with the Lord Jesus.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
‘May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:23
The peace of God can be described as a tranquil state of trust as we submit to and obey the commandments of God. It requires a mixture of humility and determination to experience God’s peace,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
If God is inherently full of peace, then to know God is to live in His peace. The nearer we move to Him, the more of His peace we can experience, the more we move away from him the more anguish will come to our lives. Thankfully, the Bible provides us with specific guidance on how to be closer to Him.
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.” Psalms 24:3-4
The peace we first experienced when we turned to Christ, when our guilty consciences were washed clean, increases as we get to better know God over time. The Scriptures encourage us to develop this growing relationship with God,
“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22
When we grow in our knowledge of the wisdom of God and of his love for us, our minds and spirits develop a restful faith – we come to know more of His power and grace. We begin to recognize that He really will make all things work together for our mutual good so that His purposes will be achieved.
“And I pray that you . . . may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11
A former atheist Katie Piper, who is starting her new role presenting the BBC programme ‘Songs of Praise’, has spoken about the effect an acid attack, arranged by her ex-boyfriend twelve years ago, had on her life. Katie was horrifically injured, losing her eyelids, part of her nose and one ear, and has since endured more than 250 operations. While she was in hospital, lying immobile in agony, a nurse started talking to her about God.
“Had anyone known, she would probably have been sacked for breaking ethics by discussing religion,’”says Katie. "But she was just doing it out of Christian kindness to comfort me.”
At that point, I really felt my life was over. But I remember her telling me: “Things happen for a reason. This is not the end. God has great things in store for you.” That night I prayed for the first time. Then the weirdest thing happened. The room seemed incredibly bright, and I felt I was being enveloped in a warm hug.
‘A voice in my head said: “Everything’s going to be OK”.’
It is clear Katie believes she felt a divine presence: ‘I didn’t see God or angels, but I felt an incredible sense of being loved.’
Peace of God: Further Bible Verses
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
God is a gracious God who longs for all people to know this peace that passes all understanding. This peace can be with us as we pass through very troubled times and even when we are dying. But it is only found when we surrender our lives to live as he wants. When Joshua was an old man and about to die, he summoned all the leaders of Israel together to remind them that they need God’s blessing if they are to live in peace. The people were reminded that they must be clear minded and determined to live as God wants. He gave God’s people both reminders and warnings. The reminders are:
“Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.” Joshua 23:6
The Scriptures have always been the way that God speaks to us authoritatively, so to turn our backs on reading and studying the Bible and hearing it taught is to be on a certain path away from God and his peace.
“You are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.” Joshua 23:8
“So be very careful to love the LORD your God.” Joshua 23:11
It is when we are in a close relationship with God that we experience his peace.
The warnings to us all are:
“Do not associate with those nations that remain among you. Do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them.” Joshua 23:7
It is all too easy for Satan to seduce us with a love for things of this world, our gods can become, like so many others, money, popularity, and success. The next warning has to do with the close relationships we allow ourselves to get involved in. These may be in business or in our private lives.
“But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, then you may be sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead they will become snares and traps to you . . .” Joshua 23:13
The Lord God is always true to his word. His blessings and judgments may be delayed but they are always fulfilled. Joshua continued to remind God’s people,
“But just as the good things the LORD has promised to you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened . . .” Joshua 23:15
The final warning is dire,
“If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD’s anger will burn against you.” Joshua 23:16
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