Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 KJV

The Passion Translation says, “Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”

Peace is a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, not a mere feeling! Can we feel peace? You betcha! But peace is so much more. The word “peace” in this portion of scripture comes from the Greek word, eirō,, meaning to “join or tie together into a whole”. It represents ‘wholeness’. He, Jesus, came to make us whole. What does this mean? He wants us to be fully assembled, complete and sound. Soundness of mind, body, and spirit-walking in harmony, consistency, and cooperation with the mind and will of the Spirit of God, like the perfect musical score.

Music is mathematical. Each note, rest, and beat is strategically placed to produce an intentional sound. Music is order. Each note cooperates with the other to form harmony. Yet this carefully planned blueprint has within it the power to produce and stir within us great depth of emotion. But we cannot rely solely upon emotion to produce great music.

It is much the same with the Spirit’s work in us to produce good fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control: all fruit of the spirit capable of allowing us to “feel”. But God asks for our obedience first. Submission and obedience to our Father WILL produce fruit in our lives-even if we don’t FEEL like being obedient.

Paul admonished us to “Let the peace of God rule (govern, arbitrate, determine the course of) your heart.” _{Colossians 3:15}

Once, when my husband and I were struggling with a decision in our lives, a mentor advised us to follow the peace of God, even if we were a bit uncomfortable or afraid. Have you ever made a decision you knew in your spirit was right, good, godly, and obedient to the direction of the Spirit? I think any believer has. Yet have you ever struggled with that decision? Did a war rage within you-a battle of what your mind, will, and emotions wanted vs. what the Spirit knew to be HIS way? I have. I bet you have too.

Paul tells us in Galatians 5:25 “If the Spirit is our source of life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives.”

I am reminded of Hannah, of her promise to God to take Samuel to the temple after he was weaned. He was her child of promise. To release him to God was to have empty arms once again. I’m sure she struggled with keeping that promise. In fact, the Bible tells us her husband prayed for her to have strength. It must have been excruciating to leave her child behind. I honestly can’t even imagine such a heartbreaking decision. But she did it. She chose to walk in obedience and accepted the decision she had made. With that decision came a peace beyond her understanding. Jewish history says Hannah went often to visit Samuel. It was about an eight hour journey, so she may have been able to go more than the once a year journey for the annual sacrifice. God blessed Hannah’s obedience. Hannah went on to have five more children and even raised two sons who were not her own. And Samuel became one of the greatest prophets in Jewish history.

We may not understand the moment we are in but if we choose to place our trust in the One True God, walk in obedience to Him, and praise Him, then peace will dwell within us and around us. In fact, the One True Living God, has offered us a Covenant of Peace. (Ezekiel 37:26; Hebrews 13:20; Numbers 25:12). He’s made an alliance with us through the blood of Jesus to equip us with every good thing we need to do His will. (Hebrews 13:21)

What Has He Given Us?

• The Blood of Jesus
• Our Testimony
• One Another
• Wisdom
• Song
• His Word
• The Holy Spirit

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” _{Colossians 3:16-17}

“And this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever.” _{Isaiah 59:21}

So, when you are searching for peace, remember- it is found in the covenant with the one true God, Jehovah, and in His son, the Prince of Peace. It is found in remembering our testimony (what God has already done in our lives). It is found in worshipping together with other believers, in the wisdom He has placed in you and in your brothers and sisters. It is found in singing to our God and about our God to one another. It is found in His Word, for He is THE WORD. It is found when we submit every part of ourselves to the leading of the one Jesus sent for us: the comforter and teacher-The Holy Spirit.

So, brothers and sisters, let us not follow the peace offered by a world who cannot seem to hold on to peace. Let us instead follow the Prince of Peace.