“THE PEACE OF GOD”

For the sixth day now, we are studying the words of Paul to the young Church full of early Christians at Philippi. Let us see what else we can learn this morning from his words.
– “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Walking on our journey as a Christian, comes along with it, a whole range of problems, struggles and sufferings. The reason being, we are called to walk in the exact opposite direction to the world, its systems, its ways and its overarching culture. The path we tread upon, will make us anxious and scared. However we don’t need to be anxious, but rather in every situation, we should bring all what is troubling us, to God our LORD in prayer and supplication, and generously seasoning it with thanksgiving, for all the blessings we received at the hand of God, in the past. When we do so, then, “THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING” will cover us as an invisible shield, and will help us walk through our struggles and the storms, to perfect safety. However, it is good to note that, this peace is mostly through the problems. Not a peace in the absence of problems.

The “Peace of God” – SHALOM is not the normal peace that one talks about in the world. The Peace of God is much deeper, and much wider, than what we can grasp. This is how Strong’s Concordance defines Shalom. 
– “contentment, wellbeing, completeness, welfare, wholeness.”
Shalom is the wholesome peace, that only the LORD Jesus can give us, because He alone is the Prince of Peace. 

Peace that the LORD Jesus gives, is the “peace that passeth all understanding.” We can compare this with the trust that the sheep has on the shepherd. They trust the shepherd because they know he cares for the welfare and the wellbeing of the sheep. Also, any and every problem that the sheep may ever face, will have to first face the shepherd. This is precisely why David says…
– “​1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” – Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is a great reflection about the wholesome peace of God. This comes to us not by sight, but by faith – 2 Corinthians 5:7. We should, just like the sheep, learn to trust the LORD, and walk in “depending” faith and obedience. Then we see the hand of God, walking us through the maze of anxious moments, that are plaguing us, with His deft hands, to wholesome safety – Isaiah 43:1-2. Small wonder then, the LORD is our Good Shepherd- John 10:10-14.

Let nothing trouble us dear brothers and sisters. Trust the LORD, and walk with Him in faith, trust, and obedience. He will guide us through it all with His Shalom, which passeth all understanding. 
– “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.” – John 14:27
Therefore, let us not to be anxious, but with prayer and supplication, and thanksgiving, come to God, our Shepherd and our Peace. Even so, the LORD help us.