Renew …My Peace
In 1 Chronicles 28:2-3, King David wanted to build a house for the name of the LORD his God, but he could not because he was fighting wars that were against him on every side. After Solomon became king, the LORD gave him rest on every side and there was neither adversary, evil occurrence, or disaster, (1 Kings 5:5). He entered into a time of God’s peace.
In Judges 6:24, God revealed Himself to Gideon as the Angel of the Lord.
KJV Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom.
NKJV So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace.
Gideon and all of God’s people had been oppressed by the Midianites, Amalekites and the people of the East. The numbers of the enemy were so great that they were counted as locusts. The description gives a visual image of the way they swarmed into the land. They were destroying all of the produce of the earth and Israel was left with no sustenance. Everyone was afraid and impoverished. When the people turned to the Lord, the Angel of the LORD appeared and told Gideon, “The LORD is with you…” Gideon did not feel like God was with them. He even told the Angel of the LORD that they had been forsaken and delivered into the hands of their enemies. The LORD told him, “Go in this might of yours, and you will have peace.”
Judges 6:22-23 NIV84 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”
Judges 6:24 NKJV So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it “The LORD is Peace.”
Gideon found renewal of peace in the presence of Jehovah-Shalom — the Lord is Peace. It is important for you to know that real peace comes from God. He is Jehovah-Shalom, the LORD of Peace.
John 14:27 NKJV Jesus said, 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.
In the world, peace is transient and allusive. One moment we have peace and the next moment war and turmoil. Everything is calm and then another storm arises.
Jesus was offering a different quality of peace.
The peace that God gives is more than a subjective feeling. His peace is the result of a transformed mind and justified life. His peace comes from a right standing before the Father. This lasting peace does not expire with tribulations, trial, war or distress. Jehovah-Shalom gives peace that becomes part of our character and nature. We have PEACE because the Prince of Peace is with us and is dwelling in us.
John 16:33 NKJV Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Peace is an integral part of the renewed mind.
When we have the mind of Christ, we have peace. The mind of the Spirit is a mind of peace. At some time or another, everyone of you have known the ravages of a life immersed in sin. When we are walking down the pathway of sin, our lives are dominated by destruction and violence.
Romans 3:17 NKJV And the way of peace they have not known.
That is the way our lives are before Jesus comes in. When He comes, there is peace.
The book of Romans gives 11 references to this peace that comes from Christ.
- Romans 1:7 — This peace comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Romans 2:10 — God’s righteousness produces this peace through Christ.
- Romans 3:17 — We have peace with God because we have been declared just and righteous by faith.
- Romans 8:5-9 — When the Holy Spirit dwells within, He brings the guarantee of life and peace to our mind.
- Romans 14:17 — Our new life in Christ is characterized by righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 15:13 — This peace that we have is accompanied by hope and joy that we may abound by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 15:33 — The God of peace will remain with you.
- Romans 16:20 —The God of peace is going to crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The fifth chapter of Galatians shows the change that occurs when we have been transformed.
As the Holy Spirit starts working within you, your mind is going to be renewed and this is going to produce inward and outward changes. That old life of the flesh is conquered by the new life of the Spirit. As a result, the dominion of darkness, turmoil and distress are defeated.
Ephesians 4 tells us, that old mind is filled with darkness, blindness, lewdness, and uncleanness.
That old mind does not have the peace, joy and love that comes from Christ. The renewed mind is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The renewed mind is free from the domain of the kingdom of darkness.
Christ Jesus demonstrated this peace throughout His life and ministry.
Jesus did not panic when Satan came to tempt Him in the wilderness.
He addressed Satan with the authority of God’s Word and was strengthened.
When the storm arose on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples panicked and lost faith.
They were certain that they were about to die. Jesus asked them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:39) Jesus not only had peace on the inside, He spoke peace to the wind and waves. He knew that the Father would take care of them. He knew the depth of the love that Father God has for His own. His faith and total trust in the Father gave Him peace. The wind and the waves could not rob His peace. The troubled heart and mind of those around Him could not destroy His peace. The Bible says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) Since He was so filled with peace, He could speak peace to the situation. When He said, “Peace, be still!”, Jesus was speaking from the abundance and overflow of what was in Him.
When confronted with stubborn demons that His disciples could not cast out, Jesus did not panic.
He took authority over them, because He was walking in peace with the Father. The whole country of the Gadarenes were fearful and tormented by a man with a legion of demons (3,000). Jesus spoke to the demons and said, “Come out of the man!” The Prince of Peace brought healing and deliverance to that troubled man.
When multitudes of the sick and oppressed people surrounded Him, Jesus delivered and healed them.
Jesus was able to bring peace and resolution to all of their problems.
When the Lord Jesus Christ comes in, He brings peace and quietness to the troubled soul.
Your association with Him will impact the kingdom of darkness that is attacking and trying to destroy.
In John 14:27 NKJV Jesus said: “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.”
Do you need peace in your heart or life? Have you been up against things that are troubling and disturbing your heart?
Jesus said, “I am leaving my peace with you!” He wants His peace to come into your spirit, mind and body and remain in you. Right now, throw off your old troubled mind and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
Renew… My Peace
