Peace Is With Us Always

The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6 NLT

6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 14:27 NLT

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

He Will Never Leave Us or Forsake Us

Hebrews 13:5–6 NLT

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

In a small group lesson on peace and patience, my wife Regina wrote:

Peace involves much more than the absence of war and strife. It is directly connected to the Hebrew concept of shalom, which also expresses the idea of wholeness, prosperity, welfare, and tranquility. These apply to a person’s internal state of being, physical body, and surrounding environment.

Patience is often understood as “longsuffering” and while that idea is not incorrect, it is incomplete. Not only is patience the ability to remain tranquil while awaiting an outcome, but it also involves “bearing up” under hardship. It is the ability to maintain peace, inside and out, when circumstances oppose us.

We commonly lose our peace and patience when dealing with others. In contrast, biblical love is patient, never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7). This love is not to be kept to ourselves but spread to those around us. With our fellow believers we should be humble, gentle, and patient (Ephesians 4:2–3), and with unbelievers kind and not argumentative (2 Timothy 2:23–25).

What If Peace Is Already With Us?

Mark 4:35–41 NLT

35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Peace Beyond Understanding

Philippians 4:5–9 NLT

5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.