The Peace That Passes All Understanding
The Peace That Passes All Understanding
Do you ever wish you could just command the world to "Be at peace! Be still!" like Jesus did to the storm? I sure do! It spins completely out of control sometimes, especially lately!
I sometimes wish I could command my own heart in the same manner-- "Peace! Be still!" My heart and mind spin out of control sometimes too. Does that happen to you?
Just before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus spent time alone with His disciples, preparing them for what was to come. Although He had told them these things before, the Real Events were about to happen and he knew they had no frame of reference for the terrifying next few weeks. In John 14:27 He gave them a watch-word to follow through the turmoil:
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
What do you think of when you use the word “peace”?
I think of “peace and quiet”, as in a time when children and dogs are napping, or when the tractors and road noise stop for the day.
I sometimes imagine a quiet meadow with occasional bird songs, or crickets and frogs in the cool darkness.
We commonly use “peace time” meaning “freedom from war”.
David says that God makes him to dwell in safety.
Yes, life is definitely more peaceful when we feel safe.
Paul tells us that Peace is a Fruit of the Spirit- a spiritual virtue. It’s not something we can conjure up in our own strength (picture in your mind a Tibetan monk meditating on a rock at the edge of a cliff). Peace, the spiritual fruit, is a Gift, something gradually worked into our character by the Holy Spirit. It’s not numbness to life or denial of reality. It is a constant putting off of the Old Self and putting on of the New Self. Peace exists alongside real life.
The Hebrew word is Shalom. God wanted Shalom with His people Israel. That’s what the establishment of the Sabbath was all about. Resting. Resting, not just from work and activity, as the law spelled it out, but resting in oneness with God.
The absence of work on the Sabbath was not intended to be a “gotcha” moment where others could “catch” you doing work on Saturday.
It didn’t mean you should only nap all day (although sometimes our work on the other days of the week make napping on the Sabbath a great idea).
The absence of working on the Sabbath is about spending time in God’s Peace—in His Presence. Abiding in the Vine (John 15:5). Peace is more than a break in the chaos— it’s true communion with the God of the Universe.
Jesus said His Peace is not as the world gives. Paul says His peace passes all understanding. It is not contrived in any way. It is something God does in us.
Isaiah 26:3 says:
“You will keep him in perfect peace
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.”
Shalom is that “perfect peace”. Having our mind “stayed” is actually “abiding”, praying without ceasing, being in the presence of God always.
I’m sure you’ve seen this little saying:
“No God, no peace.
Know God, know peace.”
It’s exactly right! When we are “stayed on” or “abiding in” God, we have His Peace. That’s how Jesus could tell His disciples not to be troubled or fearful— if they were abiding in Him they would have His peace.
“Well, great!”, you might say. “How on earth can we have His Peace???”
Like most things in the Spirit, it’s simple…but not easy. If it were easy, or even possible for us to “do”, we wouldn’t need God, would we?
The simple answer is: Abide. Stay. Rest.
It isn’t easy, but God will make you able.
So here are some ways we can Abide, Rest, and Stay.
Spiritual Disciplines. A spiritual discipline is about putting yourself in a position to let Christ work in your heart. It’s not the activity that makes it happen. It’s the bending of our will, the spirit of obedience, that gives God access to our stubborn and hardened hearts.
Let me suggest a few ideas.
1. Read the scripture.
We've heard this before. Set a time each day and spend some time reading.
There are reading plans available in the phone app “Bible”. Or at www.biblegateway.com.
Remember: The Holy Spirit attends the reading of Scripture, so we are spending time with Him when we read. We could also memorize passages. It’s good for our brains and good for our hearts. Start with a passage you already love and go from there.
2. Pray.
Keep a prayer list to pray for people and circumstances.
Call a prayer partner and pray with them—in person, on the phone, by Zoom.
Worship on your own— with scripture, with your own words, with songs.
Keep a dialogue going with God all day. He is always listening.
Remember: He is with us all the time, even when we can’t see or hear Him.
Use a “breath prayer”, something you repeat while you breathe, such as
“Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
3. Listen to Christian radio and music.
Our subconscious loves this, even when we can’t focus on it completely.
Talk to God actively about what you hear.
4. Spend time in Silence before Him.
Take a walk.
Sit in a special place in the house.
Just turn your attention to Him and keep your mind quiet.
It helps to keep a list next to you to write down all the things that hop into your mind so you can be confident you won’t forget them, and then go back to listening.
5. Do some good in the world.
Service is time spent with God when we do it in His name.
6. Actually, ANYTHING can turn into a Spiritual Discipline when we do it with God.
Why?
Because He is with us all the time. He’s just waiting for us to be with Him.
...And then one day, when we least expect it, we will notice that we love more than we used to, are at peace in unexpected circumstances, experience joy even when life is troubling, have more patience with someone, are gentler, kinder, have better self-control.
Not because we decided to, but because we have been open to God working in our hearts.
It happens when we're not looking.
In the twinkling of God’s eye.
PSALM 4
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
2 O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The Lord hears when I call to Him.
4 Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.
6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
Here are a couple of songs about peace that I love.
Debby Kerner began her career in the 70’s and I’ve always loved her, and the way she loves God.
Debby Kerner—“The Peace That Passes All Understanding”
Audrey Assad speaks to me on a contemplative level. Here she speaks of an "irrational season" (like now?) when she spends time with God in silence.
Audrey Assad—“Irrational Season”
"Irrational Season" by Audrey Assad
Over the skyline to see the spheres
I lift my eyes to the heavens
Nothing sensible has yet appeared
In this irrational season;
But the light is wilder here
Out on the edge of reason
And Love burns bright and clear
Out where I cannot seize Him
All the way my Savior leads me
To peace that’s past understanding;
Into the wilderness to find the streams
To know beyond comprehending
That the light is wilder here
Out on the edge of reason
And Love burns bright and clear
Out where I cannot seize Him
The night is darker here
Out on the edge of reason
But Love burns bright and clear
Out where I cannot seize Him
~
Shalom, my friends. May we all be with God.
Cindy
“He Himself is our Peace.” Ephesians 2:14- Love, Joy, Peace, God offers us sooooooo much!!!
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