Peace Understanding
By Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of January 10, 2021
We’ve heard of the peace that surpasses understanding in Philippians 4:7, where we experience the Presence of The God of Peace while going through a difficult time.
But there’s also a holy peace, a kind of confidence that comes when we live in a reality of knowing God, understanding His ways and applying His wisdom as He reveals Himself and His will in everyday life (Is 26:3).
Proverbs 4:7 tells us to "get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)."
A kind of wisdom.
Yet, Job 26:14 AMPC asks, who can understand "His full, magnificent power?"
So, why would God instruct us to get understanding if He is too unfathomable to comprehend?
I believe the answer is that our Lord releases new levels of knowledge with understanding as we come to know Him from glory to glory. I believe it’s part of our growth journey to know Him more and to co-operate with Him by faith. I believe we need levels of understanding to accomplish progressively greater assignments with Him after we’ve passed faith tests.
Proverbs 3:13, 16-17 NIV say, "Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace."
The Lord’s offering of understanding to us comes with peace in knowing God’s final Word, His good and purposed outcome for us and our divinely-assigned projects and His how-to—all by His authority and our heart to receive and obey His heart (Ps 23:4 TPT).
As a righteous man (and the only one at the time), Noah experienced this.
God was very specific with His instructions to him, even down to the measurements of the ark as well as who and what to load on it when the time came.
God articulated.
He left nothing to mess up by man’s ignorance.
Likewise, there’s no time to waste in this modern-day, accelerated and fitting time, where pieces of our lives (and the greater remnant) converge for higher purposes.
There is an efficiency in working from a diligent attitude of peaceful knowing. Work processes can flow when we know what to do and how to do them in advance.
When we know God is in it from the beginning.
It makes a difference.
Yes, we also learn as we go; but we need some initial instruction and/or strategy.
Have you ever started a project and wondered whether it was of The Lord?
If so, maybe you kept going, hoping you would hear something from Him along the way.
Or maybe you gave up early on, because you didn’t hear anything.
In the end, the door closed and you didn’t see much, if any, fruit.
So, if that’s you, what did you learn?
Friends, when our hearts are aligned with God’s truth, meaning nothing is withheld from Him, we’re more inclined to do it His way.
To submit to Him and finish projects with Him.
This is true efficiency.
Psalm 37:11 AMPC tells us, "But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. [Ps. 37:29; Matt. 5:5.]"
This kind of peace is God’s shalom, which means nothing missing, nothing broken, blessed, content, well, prosperous, whole and complete (Strong’s #7965).
So, we can receive the greater blessings of God when we do it His way, according to His instruction and timing.
Isaiah 30:18 says, "…blessed are those who wait for His help."
Proverbs 10:22 AMPC says, "The blessing of the Lord–it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]."
One meaning of "blessing" in this verse is "peace" (Strong’s #1293).
So, you could read it as "The peace of the Lord–it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].
Friends, peace is a powerful clarifier and confirmation that comes directly from the Spirit of God.
The Author and Promotor (God) of peace will be with us when we live in peace (2 Co 13:11 AMPC).
So, if all we’re feeling is anxiety because we don’t have enough of God’s clear instruction, we need to wait until we hear more from Him before we take the next step.
Let’s choose to honor God in the only way that works well.
Philippians 4:9 NIV says, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
So, friends, let’s step into what God has assigned to us, according to His instruction and timing to work it His way so that we don’t waste our resources, and our projects will result in pure gold.
Let’s remember the important role of peace:
The God of peace equips us with "every good thing to do His will" (He 13:20-21 NASB).
The Gospel is peace (Ep 6:15).
Jesus is our peace (Ep 2:14).
Jesus is The Prince of Peace (Is 9:6).
Jesus is the way of peace (Ro 5:1).
Peace is a path that is to be followed (Pr 3:17, He 12:14, 2 Ti 2:22).
Reconciliation peace came by the blood of Jesus (Co 1:20 AMPC).
Our God of peace crushed Satan under our feet (Ro 16:20).
Peace is a gift Jesus left with us (Jn 14:27).
Our Lord multiplies peace (1 Pe 1:2).
The peace of Jesus is to rule in our hearts (Co 3:15).
Peace is continual for those who please God (Ro 2:10).
Peacemakers reap a harvest of divine approval (righteousness) (Ja 3:18).
The mind of Holy Spirit is peace (Ro 8:6).
Peace is power that can be felt and binds us to harmony with Holy Spirit (Ep 4:3).
We are to pursue peace and maintain it with God and man (1 Pe 3:11).
Holding peace is a war strategy that requires understanding (Ex 14:14, Pr 11:12).
The Kingdom of God is filled with peace, and God lives for us to live in peace (Ro 14:17, He 12:14).
So, friends, are you ready to co-operate with God in more peace understanding?
If so…
"...May God’s delightful grace and peace rest upon you" (1 Th 1:1).
May Holy Spirit work His peace within you (Ga 5:22 AMPC).
"…May the Lord himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you his peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all" (2 Th 3:16 TPT).
"And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]" (Co 3:15 AMPC).
May God increase your peace (and grace) as you grow to know Him firsthand as your Lord (2 Pe 1:2 NLT).
May God’s "peace be yours in the fullest measure" (1 Pe 1:2).
"…may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely" (1 Th 5:23 NKJV);
"…Yes, Lord, so let it be" (Ro 15:33)!
In Jesus’ Mighty Name.
Amen.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
Originally published Sunday, 10 January 2021.
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