Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you, Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid (John 14:27)
Peace is defined as being free from agitation of mind or spirit; free from disturbance or turmoil. It is a state in which oppressive thoughts or emotions do not dwell within our heart. Sometimes peace of mind has more to do with what is being harbored in our heart than what is happening around us as we go about our daily activities.
The peace that the world offers through wealth, possessions, entertainment and recreational activities is a short-lived peace because with the passing of time, it invariably is replaced with anxieties and fears. On the other hand, peace that comes from God is a lasting, enduring peace that will not fade away with the passing of time. When the peace of God reigns in our heart we can live every moment of every day confidently knowing that the all-seeing eye of God will be watching over us and will, if we allow him to do so, lead us safely through whatever betides us (Hebrews 4:13-16, Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 26:3, Hebrews 13:5-6). When Moses was 120 years old, he delivered his final message to all Israel in which he told them, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (Deut. 31:8). While we live under a new and better covenant, there is not a shred of doubt in my heart that what was true for Israel is just as true for you and I today.
John 14:1, "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me." Placing our trust and confidence in God and his Son, Jesus, we will have all the support we need to free ourselves from any heart trouble that threatens our peace James 4:6-10, 1 Peter:5:6-11). Isaiah 40:31, "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." The antidote for the troubled heart: wait on the Lord, walk hand in hand with him, obeying him, leaning on him, trusting and confiding in him and every step of the way, living by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20; Isaiah 12 :2-3).
We are weak, frail human beings and things are going to happen to us that will cause our hearts to be troubled and sometimes those things will seem unbearably harsh but they must not be allowed to overwhelm us and take away the peace that passes all comprehension. We have limited abilities but we serve a powerful loving God in whom there are no limitations. We can be sure that when we talk to him, when we praise him for his love, goodness and mercy, when we pour out to him the feelings of our heart, he will answer (Philippians 4:4-7, Hebrews 4:13-16; Psalms 35:15-19, Psalms 121:1-3).
I may not understand everything that happens to me in this life but this one thing I do know, the God I believe in, the God I serve, the God in whom my faith, trust and confidence lies does know and understand and because he loves me, I may be troubled in heart but it will never defeat me.
Charles Hicks
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