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Know Peace

Posted on 01.31.2012

“Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Wow. This is what Jesus said to His disciples close to the time when he was going to be leaving this world and going to His Father. Everything that Jesus told his disciples, He told them for a reason, and that is an understatement! I say this because, of course, he was not just talking to His disciples, but to us who chose to follow Him—you, and me—we who have a personal relationship with Christ. Jesus told us about the peace He gives for a reason: He knew what life would be like in this world, in this, our temporal existence. He knew that our lives would be so busy that we would, mistakenly, not make time to stop and “smell the roses” due to being on the human “hamster wheel” trying to meet our work, financial, social, political and business obligations. He knew that, in life, we would face mental and physical illness, broken relationships, death of loved ones, and all sorts of failure.

In many instances, we may not know how to handle these troubles, or not handle them well because we would often forget the great resource that we have. Dealing with life’s troubles would lead many of us to try to cover up our emotional response to our troubles or to our simple, yet complex, dissatisfaction with ourselves by making very poor choices in order to dull the pain of our troubled, non-peaceful existence. So we turn to using drugs and alcohol, and other vices like gambling or pornography. We can even turn to illicit or unhealthy relationships. These false “remedies” only send us into a deeper pit of misery and discontent.

But, there is very good news.

Jesus, told us plainly that we would have trouble in the world, but that He has overcome the world and it’s troubles. Jesus, is not only the Good Shepherd, but he is the Prince of Peace. We will have no peace until we know the Prince of Peace. I remember seeing a bumper sticker that said something like “no Peace” and “know Peace. I don’t remember the clever line, but it was a brilliant statement about the fact that, yes, there will be no peace until we “know Peace”. Peace is Jesus. Jesus, God in the flesh, is “Jehovah Shalom”. He is the Shepherd that “makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2) True peace can only be attained by allowing Jesus to lead you and to give you peace. When I am frustrated and frazzled, I am reminded that the Prince of Peace is with me and leading me to that place of peace in every situation. Often the solution to our troubles lies first in lying down (letting go) and resting in the midst of turmoil. When you lie down, you are no longer fighting, When you lie down, you are in a position of humility and rest. “Lying down” and resting puts you in a position where Jesus can take care of what you face. He wants to take care of it. Will I trust Him to take care of it?

So, the next time you face turmoil, lie down. If you can physically, do it. If not, lie down in your heart and mind and give it all to the Prince of Peace. Lie down and rest and receive Peace. He will carry you through every situation you face. Now, receive this blessing:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26