THREE KINDS OF PEACE

You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Basically there are three kinds of peace. The absence or cessation of war or hostility, Peace with God, and The peace of God.

The absence or cessation of war or hostility - When newspapers or TV news programs talk about peace, they most likely are referring to the end of hostilities between opposing organizations or countries. In today’s world it seems there are more hostilities breaking out than ending. Yet I would assume that peace is a common human desire - peace to live where and how we want to. But therein lies the problem. Our wants and the wants of others will be in conflict with each other unless we live by the same rules and values. That is true whether we are talking about nations, organizations or individuals. The Bible says, “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?”(a) Again it says, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”(b)

Peace with God – It’s insane to be opposed to God! He is the creator of heaven and earth and every living thing. He knows everything there is to know. He has absolute power. He makes the rules and enforces them. God has never been our enemy. He has never been against us, it’s we who have been against Him and need to make peace with Him. By opposing Him we bring destruction on ourselves. But if we surrender to Him and are reconciled to Him through Christ, it brings us life eternal! “If our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.”(c) By surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus as our Savior allows us to experience the third kind of peace.

The peace of God - God’s peace is “perfect.” It lacks nothing. It is full and complete. It never fails. It is not affected by outward circumstances. It is always the same, like God, it never changes. It is always “perfect.” The peace of God is so far beyond human ability to understand that we will never comprehend it this side of heaven.(e) But by God’s grace we can experience it! Isaiah, speaking of God, says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”(f) Instead of worrying about the things that are beyond our control, our responsibility is to fix our thoughts on the Lord and trust Him in every situation. I can just hear Satan whisper, “Oh, but that’s so hard!” We must not listen to him. Rather cry out to the Lord for help and choose to obey Him. Whether all is going well or tragedy has struck - whether we are in health or in sickness – in prosperity or financial need – success or in failure – family peace or conflict. If we do our part with His help, without question God will do His part and “keep us in His perfect peace.”

Let’s Pray-
Dear Lord, as we focus our attention on you - grant us the grace to trust you totally!
“Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above;
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.”(g)
Amen

Footnotes:
(a) James 4:1 NLT, (b) Romans 12:17-18 NLT, (c) Romans 5:10 NLT, (d) Colossians 1:22 NLT, (e) Philippians 4:7 KJV, (f) Isaiah 26:3 NLT, (g) W. G. Cooper,


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