“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.” – John 14:27
Peace within me has blessed me through many trials and tribulations. There is no hesitation and no fear, I endure and persevere. Pressing forward toward the mark, eternal life I seek. Serenity, tranquility, and harmony. Oh, what a treat my Lord has given me.
I have learned, no matter what I face or what comes against me in this life, I will not allow fear to overtake me. I will not be afraid or let my heart be troubled. The Lord has given me peace and with that peace comes serenity. In the Websters New World College Dictionary (fifth edition), the word serenity means, “the quality of state of being serene; calmness; tranquility.” The word serene has three definitions and I will use two for this passage. The first definition is ‘clear, bright, unclouded’. The second definition is ‘not disturbed or troubled, calm, peaceful and tranquil”.
I must keep a clear mind by keeping my focus on Jesus Christ and not allow the trouble of the world to disturb or trouble my spirit. I must believe the promise that’s been given to me in John 14:27, in order to receive the blessings of strength and courage and to endure and persevere through the trials and tribulations. So, when the tests come or oppression and distress try to dwell within, I trust and rely on my Lord Jesus Christ, because He will fight for me and help me uphold my peace.
In Exodus 14:10-14, the children of Israel were very afraid when Pharaoh drew near and the Egyptians were marching after them. They were afraid and in all of their fear, they cried out to the Lord. They began to doubt Moses by asking many questions, showing their lack of faith in the Lord. Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14).
I encourage you today to not allow your problems or your circumstances to grab ahold of your peace. Hold on to the peace within you when you face life’s problems. Allow God, who is within you, to fight for you by standing still and listening to the Holy Spirit. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13).
God will not allow you or me to go through anything He has not prepared us for. He will give us, as believers, the power to endure and persevere. When we don’t allow fear to have a position among the peace that’s been given to us, we conquer life’s problems and circumstances with the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ.
