Situations and things show up to steal our peace. What does it mean to walk in peace?
Webster’s dictionary meaning of peace:
1: a state of tranquility or quiet: such as
a: freedom from civil disturbance
b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom.
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations
4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments
b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity.
5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell.
We know as people of God, everything ends and begins with the word of God.
The first scripture that applies to the first definition of peace is praying for our leaders and all people.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 New International Version: I urge, then, first, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
We may not like or agree with certain leaders and people, but we are to pray for them so we can lead a peaceful life. We must give our leaders over to God. Either God will change their hearts or remove them.
The second meaning deals with peace of mind. Isaiah 26:3-4 New Living Translation: 3 You will keep in perfect harmony all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
We must keep our minds on the truth of God’s word to stay in peace.
The third meaning is being in harmony with everyone. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree because we all don’t view things the same. But, you still walk in what you believe and love people regardless of their beliefs.
Romans 12:18-21: If it is possible, as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will hear burning coals on his head.]21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
Remember, God’s vengeance is the best. Do not be overcome by evil (lowering to another person’s level) but overcome evil with good. Remember, we are not fighting flesh and blood, but it is spiritual. There is an area in that person’s life that they gave place to the devil that is causing them to act in the wrong way.
Sometimes in order to keep the peace, we must stay away from certain people and pray for them. Evil can rub off on you quicker than good.
I was asked a great question when I was in discussion with someone. “If God is the Prince of Peace, then why is there a hell?” I didn’t have the answer at the time until later that day God revealed it to me, and it was clear.” It was like an inner voice was saying “yes, I am the Prince of Peace, but to keep the peace, I had to remove Lucifer because he was stirring up confusion even though He loved him.
I was amazed at that revelation. Hell was never intended for us; it was for Satan and the fallen angels/demons that went along with him. God gives us a choice, and with the selection, consequences come along with it. We self-destruct on our own; that is why we need a Savior.
Deuteronomy 30:19: 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before your life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
We choose life by being obedient to the word of God. We choose death when we do what we want to do and everything we can think of. In our flesh dwells nothing good. We are capable of anything. It is only through God we are of any good. Even the heart can fool us. Everyone uses the phrase “God knows my heart.” Yes, he does, and it can be wicked.
Jeremiah 17:9-10: 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
David would ask God to search his heart. We all need a spiritual check-up to make sure we are doing things with the right heart.
Psalm 139-23-24: 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
I am jumping to the fifth definition of peace: speaking calmly into a situation.
Jesus spoke to the storm.
Mark 4:37-40: 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? “How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. We can speak to our storms and say peace, be still. We can speak to our mountains in faith, and they will obey.
In conclusion, to live in peace:
- Pray for our leaders and all people.
- Keep your mind stayed on things that are indeed from God’s word.
- Be in harmony with everyone even if you must love them from a far distance, and when things are chaotic in your life, speak to your situation by declaring the word of God.
To remain at ease, walk in peace!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for another word from you. Lord, I repent for allowing people and situations to steal my peace. God, I thank you for being the Prince of Peace. I pray for all people; I keep my mind on you, God, and speak to my storms to maintain peace. In Jesus’ name! Amen.