Stand firm then…
with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15
What comes to mind when you hear the word PEACE?
The 1960s with their tie-dyed shirts and long hair? Walking along a deserted beach at sunrise? Taking in the majestic view from a mountaintop?
Maybe for you, peace isn’t a symbol or a place, but just the absence of conflict.
It might be family reunion – or a church business meeting – where “we all just get along.” In certain seasons of life, it could be making it through dinner without milk spilled on the floor. Perhaps it’s as simple as a clear kitchen counter or clean bathroom.
Spiritually speaking, of course, true peace is only found in the person of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 says:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our sin puts every one of us at war with God, but Jesus brings us peace with Him.
That’s the good news. That’s the gospel.
It’s a truth that transcends the challenges of this world and settles our destiny for eternity. It not only brings confident hope for that day, it brings peace for this day, too.
Because we are His, we have gospel shoes. We get to walk in those shoes. We get to walk in peace.
Peace is the third of the nine traits describing the fruit of the Spirit. But what does walking in peace mean for us today? How do we claim God’s peace in our lives?
Let’s first consider what peace is not.
In John chapter 16, Jesus gave us a heads up that we can expect trouble in this world, but can also have peace in the midst of it:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
From His words, we can conclude that trouble is the opposite of peace. Our own personal experiences prove that true.
Today’s trouble may be a morning alarm that didn’t go off, or a smoke alarm that did. It may be an overdue bill, a rebellious child, or a malignancy. It may be financial, relational, or medical. But we can wholeheartedly agree that trouble is seldom – and some would say never – peaceful.
But even as we walk through times of trouble, we can walk in peace if we know Jesus.
We are reassured by these words from the book of Isaiah:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
This month’s Write the WORD verses are focused on PEACE, which seems fitting as we celebrated our risen Savior just last week on Easter Sunday – and should make it a daily priority to worship Jesus, our Prince of Peace.
Wherever you find yourself today, I pray that God’s perfect peace surrounds you and overwhelms you, regardless of your circumstances.
In this week’s devotional video, Laura shared thoughts on a few questions prompted by Isaiah 26:3:
• Where does real peace come from?
• What’s the difference between everyday peace and perfect peace?
• Is it possible to live in peace?
We hope you’ll listen in as Laura talks about the answers to these questions, found in this powerful verse!
Our monthly Write the WORD bookmark and optional S.O.A.P. study pages can be found HERE. Be sure to check out our other free resources, too!
1 Response to Sunday Soaking: Claiming God’s Peace