John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV)
27 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.
The peace that God gives us is nothing like the peace the world talking about.
The dictionary gives the definition of Peace as a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there’s no fighting or war, everything coexisting in perfect harmony and freedom.
Thats ok, but it’s all external. There’s nothing about the heart.
The Quechua Indians use a word for peace that literally translates, “to sit down in one’s heart.”
That definition is getting closer, but they both lead us to believe that peace is absent of trouble.
God’s desire is for us to have peace at all times, even in times of trouble. God does not say that we will have no troubles, but he will give us His peace in the midst of our troubles.
The Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom’.
When someone says, “Shalom,” or, “Peace unto you,” it doesn’t mean, “I hope you don’t have any trouble coming your way”; it means, “I hope you have all the highest good in your life.”
God’s peace is completely unrelated to circumstances.
It is a goodness of life that is not touched by what happens on the outside. You could be in the midst of great trials and still have God’s incredible peace.
I experienced this peace recently in such a remarkable way, I just have to share it.
This past week, a group of us ladies went to Cape Town centre for a farewell dinner. It was an incredibly special evening and afterwards, three of us drove home together as we are all in the Southern Suburbs and the the last in our group headed to Camps Bay where she was staying on her own in a family apartment.
As we drove off, I said a prayer for her and trusted in my heart that she would be safe. We are living in a crazy place with crime and violence all around but as children of God, I believe that we can trust in His goodness and protection.
As we drove home though, I recalled the entrance to her apartment. Steps lead directly off the road up to the front door, with a Trellidor two thirds of the way up. I pictured how it would look when she arrived home. If there was no-one around, all would be well but if there were any opportunists lurking in the shadows, they could very easily accost her on the stairs.
Fear began to dance around in my head but I refused to entertain it. I have prayed and I must trust that she will be safe.
But in my human-ess, I sent a text message to our group, thanking everyone for the evening, and asking this friend to message us when she was home safe and sound.
I prayed again, in my heart, and deep within I felt the peace of God. “I do not need to worry. Everything is ok.”
As I climbed wearlily into bed just after midnight, with the rain drumming on our roof, I receive a private message from one of the girls in the group. She had tried calling our friend, but there had been no reply.
I could sense that she was beginning to worry.
I replied – ‘Praying and trusting God that she is safe’
I still had great peace in my heart and over the years I have come to trust that peace.
Our heads will often make a great noise contrary to our peace, trying to suck us into the vortex of fear and anxiety. Satan puts thoughts in our minds. This is his playground … and our battlefield. We need to trust what God’s spirit is saying in our heart.
That night, I fell asleep easily but was woken at 3:40 by a violent and traumatic dream. An Intruder, a struggle, fear, anxiety! Where was my peace now. My heart was pounding. I lay in bed and prayed. I reached deep into my heart to determine the emotion that lay there. Still peace! In fact, our kind father even gave me a picture of my friend sleeping so peacefully in her bed. Satan really was trying to steal my peace and fill my mind with fear, but I held onto the peace.
I fell fast asleep again.
The next morning, I tried calling my friend to confirm my peace. But still no reply.
I would not allow myself to worry. I must trust my peace.
I texted the group again, just asking her to check in with us and let us know all is good.
An hour later she sent a message in response. She had put her phone on silent and was so so sorry for any worry that she had caused. She said that she slept like a baby all night!
I thanked the Lord for the picture He gave me. The picture of her sleeping so peacefully.
The Lord gives us the peace that we need. We need to choose to hold onto this peace rather than listen to the noise that is so often raging in our heads.