How can we have abiding peace that keeps us in times of trouble? Psalms 46, shows God to be our defense even if the earth is removed. The ultimate goal of this Psalm is to show us that God is our refuge and a mighty fortress.
Psalm 46:1-5NKJV God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
How can we have abiding peace in every situation? Often throughout the biblical history, cities were built with high walls for defense. Some of those walls appeared to provide a defensive structure that could protect their people but they did not.
- Psalms 46 shows waters roaring, earth moving and mountain-shaking troubles.
- 2 Timothy 3:1 tells us, “In the last days perilous times will come…”
- In Matthew 24, Jesus indicated the last days would be marked by wars and rumors of wars. He said, “Nation would rise up in arms against nation. And there will be famines, plagues, disease, earthquakes… False prophets, deceivers, and lawlessness would abound.”
The Bible gives us promise of peace through the Lord Jesus Christ. His peace keeps us when we face troubles of Biblical proportion. We find His peace in the shelter of the Almighty.
John 14:27 NKJV Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
What can we do to get and keep His peace that calms our heart and removes our fear? Jesus said, “I give you My peace.” Since Jesus gives us this peace, how can we keep peace in our heart and mind? Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.”
The Amplified Bible says: “Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.”
The only way to do that in this troubled world is with the Lord’s help. We must receive and firmly hold to His peace. God knows that troubled times are coming, but He wants His children to have peace and strength. Romans 5 shows us how to receive this peace inside.
Romans 5:1-2 NKJVTherefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Peace is the normal condition of those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Philippians takes another step toward living in peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
If you want a firm hold on His peace, you must develop a prayer life that relies on God’s help. When you have that kind of trust in God, “The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”
This gift of God’s peace has a specific impact on us. God’s peace stands guard over our heart and mind.
Look back at the beginning of this text. God does not leave us out of this process. If we are going to enjoy this peace that surpasses all comprehension, we must practice three things. We must present the things that disturb and unsettle us to God with prayer, supplication and thanksgiving. This is the practice of trusting in God. When we practice trust in Him, the power of God’s guarding peace floods in. Then under the influence of the power of God’s guarding peace, we change our thought life.
Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
This is a process that dynamically takes us into deeper experiences of God’s peace. After prayer, supplication and thanksgiving, we must practice thinking differently. Fill your mind with good things. Stop filling your mind and spirit with doubt, failure, lies, and an evil report.
There are two powerful dimensions of this peace.
First, we have peace with God
Second, we are given the peace of God.
To receive peace with God, we must receive justification through our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:6-7 shows this peace with God comes through a special relationship with God.
How do we get this peace with God?
This peace was not our natural condition. When we came to God, we were sinners engaged in an ungodly world. We were without hope and without God. We did not have the peace of God, and we did not have peace with God.
When Jesus Christ redeemed us from the judgment, guilt, and corruption of this world, we were helpless and hopeless. Since we were sinners, we were without hope. Our conscience condemned us. We were not at peace with ourselves or with God. We needed God’s supernatural help. By grace, God provided a Savior for our sinful souls.
Consider this.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJVFor He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
God exercised great faith by giving His Son for our sins. By faith, God made room for anyone who would believe. The God of all faith took action while we were controlled by a conscience that was not at peace with Him. We were always in turmoil and unrest. We knew that we were not right, and we did not know how to get right. We had no peace within.
That is the problem with the sinner. They do not have the ability to find and live in peace.Without Jesus Christ there is no lasting peace. Nothing we could do could bring lasting personal peace. Even when you did good, the real and nagging issues of the heart could not be solved.
We need powerful help from God to have deep lasting peace.
Romans 5:1 NKJK Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Lord justified us so that we might have peace with God. This is a necessary step toward living in the peace of God and God did it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, God dealt with our sin. Jesus Christ fully paid the price to bring us into peace with God. Christ Jesus put our sins away, nailing them to His cross and we have been given God’s righteousness in Christ Jesus. By Christ Jesus we have been made just in God’s eyes.
Do you have peace in your heart with God?
You can have peace with God and not live in the peace of God.
To live in the peace of God, you must first have peace with God. It is a blessing to know that you are made right in God’s eyes. God has provided the solution for the sin in your life. He can solve the issues within our conscience.
Hebrews 9:14 NKJV How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Once the issues of our conscience have been covered with Christ’s cleansing blood and we have peace with God, we must learn to live in the peace of God.
How can we have the peace of God in our hearts? To live in the peace of God, our hearts must be surrounded and filled with His peace. Philippians 4:6, tells us to stop allowing ourselves to be agitated, disturbed, fearful, intimidated, cowardly and unsettled.
Philippians 4:7 NLTIf you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
This peace is associated with the rest that God has provided for His people. Hebrews 4:9-10 tells us that God has provided a persistent rest for the people of God. This rest is associated with His peace. This rest is a place of tranquility and quietness of spirit where struggles come to an end. This is where the disturbed and fearful mind finds rest and peace. The agitated and unsettled heart finds calm and peace.
There is a place where we can find this peace and rest! Where is this place?
This is the rest that God has provided for His people in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is inner peace. It is inner peace with God. This is peace in your spirit and heart that brings an end to the struggle and anxiety. This peace is the assurance that God’s grace is sufficient. This is confidence that His supply is abundant and free. This is the certainty that God will supply all your need according to His Own riches in glory. We can abide in this peace. It is a practical peace for every day living.
Jesus is to me: Abiding Peace
What is the effect of this peace in our lives? This peace provides quietness or stillness when the storms of life arise. It gives us assurance of salvation. We can know that we have a place prepared for us in heaven. This is the place of peace and trust in God. The storms of life still come. Sickness, disease, and trouble still arise. Temptation, trials, and tests still come to try to rob us of our peace.
This abiding peace outlasts the circumstances of your life. It is necessary for us to understand this. If your peace, inner quietness, or deep assurance depends on good circumstances, you will not have abiding peace. Your peace will rise and diminish with the ebbing of the tides. The storms in life will control your emotions. Your battles will control your victory. You will constantly be up and down and up and down.
Jesus promised a peace that we can abide in. During the storm, you will understand the depth of His peace. In the crisis, His peace abides in your heart. All of the power of the evil one cannot rob your peace.
- The Lord is your light and your salvation.
- The Lord is your defense and strong tower against the enemy.
- The Lord is your shield on the right hand and the left.
- The Lord is your peace.
God has provided this abiding rest and peace for all of His people.
If it is available and you do not have it, what should you do?
First, develop a deeper trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Stop trying to do it all on your own and start depending on Christ Jesus our Lord. Start relying on the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Practice casting the care of your concern over on the Lord.
- He will save, heal and help you.
- He will supply your need and answer your cry.
- He will calm your storm.
- He will scatter your enemy.
- He will never leave or forsake you.
- He will give you the answer.
- He will give you His peace.
