Father, you have given me the peace of God that passes all understanding. May I rest in it by your grace.
“Tell me,” the officer said. “If you could have one thing in the world, what would it be?” I was a high school senior sitting in a chair in the Air Force ROTC office at Kansas University. I wore a fancy suit, and the officer was interviewing me as part of the application process for an ROTC scholarship.
“Peace of mind,” I said.
I don’t think he was expecting that answer. He looked too surprised. Nonetheless, I did receive the scholarship.
The peace of God has been the one aspect of knowing Christ that I cannot escape. It pursues me and overtakes me wherever I go. When doctors told me I needed radiation treatment for a brain tumor, God filled my soul with peace. When I was single in my thirties but desired a wife, God dogged me with His peace. When I went through unemployment after unemployment, not knowing where the money would come from, God reassured me with His peace. This I know. The peace of God is real. No one will ever convince me otherwise. I’ve seen it, and I’ve seen it in the face of adversity. Peace has been God’s calling card upon my life.
A heart filled with Jesus has peace. “Peace I leave you,” Jesus said. “My peace I give you. Not as the world gives…” Jesus gives one kind of peace. The world gives another. The world cannot understand the peace of Christ. In fact, sometimes God’s people cannot understand it, even while they revel in it. It is a wondrous thing.
The peace of God is in Christ, for in Christ God has forgiven our sin. In Christ, God has reconciled our relationship with Him. In Christ, God has put to death our old nature and made us new. In Christ, we are clean, we are whole, we are right, and we are new. In Christ, the fullness of God dwells inside us, and where God dwells, peace dwells. We may lose our job, our health, or our spouse. We may grieve and hurt deeply, but we will still have peace. The presence of pain is not the absence of peace.
The peace Jesus gives is an inward quietness, a rest that comes from knowing that Jesus satisfies our deepest needs, and that no one can take that away. This world may take away our home, our health or our freedom, but it cannot touch our peace if that peace rests in Christ. God touches us more deeply than circumstances do; consequently, the peace of Christ remains through all circumstances.
The peace the world gives is quite different. It resembles real peace by creating a type of contentment. The peace of the world takes comfort in met needs, but those needs are different needs. Earthly peace finds consolation in financial security, good health, a family, friends, nature, or a sense of morality. This peace is tied more closely to circumstances than to God, and it is built more on self than on God. Personal comfort is not peace, and self cannot give peace.
Earthly peace sometimes consists of nothing more than personality. Some people are wired to be more content than others. The man who goes through life with a laissez faire attitude, who always appears to be content with what life throws at him, seems outwardly to be at peace. But if you get behind the layers, he may have no more inner peace than the restless wanderer. His “peace” is his personality, and personality is not peace.
Earthly peace sometimes comes from sweet feelings. A nature lover may describe many sweet feelings she feels while in the woods. A religious man may describe similar experiences when praying or contemplating the Cross. Elevated emotions and feelings, even religious ones, are not real peace. Sweet feelings do often accompany true peace in Christ, but they do not define it. Real peace can sometimes be a strong, sweet emotion, but more often it is a quiet certainty.
The peace of the world is an eggshell. We may decorate it pretty on the outside, but sooner or later, it gets knocked onto the tile floor, and then we see what it is made of.
The peace of Jesus is a gift of grace. Those who have it know that they do not deserve it. In fact, that is why they have it, for God refuses to give His grace to those who think themselves worthy of it.
The peace of Jesus comes from righteousness. Real righteousness. A righteousness that is as deep as the Cross. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” The angels can promise “Peace on Earth” because the child whose birth they sing will bring righteousness to the human race. Peace and righteousness go together. The world cannot give peace because the world cannot give righteousness.
Thomas a Kempis wrote, “Peace is what all desire, but all do not care for the things that make for true peace.” Peace comes through renouncing the desires of our flesh and listening to the Holy Spirit. It is hard.
Earth calls. “Look over here,” it says. “Your deadline is fast approaching … Oh, wouldn’t that sofa and chair look nice in the living room … you’re getting a few more gray hairs now … have an iced latte … don’t miss that Christmas special … how will you pay the mortgage this month?”
God calls. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.”
“The big game is tomorrow … yes, yes, yes … seven steps to financial freedom … four principles for a good marriage … Oh, your husband left you? I’ve got just the book for you … by Dr. Bill … so practical … how do you like your burgers cooked?”
“And I will give you rest.”
“Yes, did you hear what Jasmine told Kristen about Matt … congratulations! It’s a boy … what are you doing to help the environment … to alleviate the plight of the homeless … to eliminate poverty …to help the Guban people in Eastern Gubania … stop war now … Oh, you just lost your job? I’m so sorry.”
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”
“Your research report should have at least five sources … I think the transmission just went out in the car … 3,000 dollars … don’t be late to church … and baseball practice is at five … the ladies are coming for coffee on Tuesday … get the house ready … get the house ready …”
“And you will find rest for your souls.”
“At the top of the charts this month is … what difference does it make so long as they are consenting adults …”
Is it any wonder we have no peace?
