God's Peace (2)

RECAP from Sermon (1)

Principle 1: Today, see what has value. “ aren’t you more valuable” (vv. 25-26)

Principle 2: Today, see what is permanent. “here today and tomorrow is tossed” (vv. 27-30)

Principle 3: Today, see what is good. “today has enough trouble” (vv. 31-34)

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Peace

PEACE (שָׁלוֹם, shalom; εἰρήνη, eirēnē). A pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary In the Old Testament

In the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, “peace” carries the fundamental meaning of welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility (compare Westermann, “Peace [Shalom],” 20, 44–53). The term is frequently used as the antithesis of harm (רָעָה, ra'ah; compare 1 Sam 20:7; Jer 29:11; 38:4) and as a synonym for what is good (טוֹב, tov; Deut 23:6; Ezra 9:12; Jer 33:9).

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Peace in Greetings and Farewells

Peace in Greetings and Farewells

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Peace in the Sense of Welfare

Peace in the Sense of Welfare

For example, when David asks Uriah how the battle with the Ammonites is progressing, he “asked concerning the peace of Joab and the peace of the people and the peace of the war” (2 Sam 11:7). In this case, “peace” does not refer to the absence of hostilities but the welfare of those involved and progression of the fighting (Mauser, Gospel of Peace, 15).

Greever, J. M. (2016). Peace. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Peace as the Absence of Hostility

Peace as the Absence of Hostility

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Peace in Relationships

A relationship with God marked by loyalty and love is also described as a relationship of peace (contra Westermann, “Peace [Shalom],” 40

Introduction: We live in a hurried world. We put demands on ourselves that are often more strenuous than those put on us by outside forces.

Finding physical rest can be difficult. Emotional rest is even more eluding. Jesus’ clearly said taking His mission as our own would increase the conflict between us and those who hold a contrary worldview, He promised that there was a pathway to internal quietness. Paul lays out that pathway here in Philippians 4.

1. Peace comes from recognizing the Lord’s proximity. (vv. 4-5)

the way that the KJV describes the Lord’s nearness is interesting—“at hand.” You take your hand with you everywhere you go.

It’s always available to catch falling groceries, slow a grandchild who is running a little too fast into your arms, scratch a hard-to-reach area, or grasp a cup of steaming coffee.

Most times, you don’t have to think about what you want your hand to do. It functions on instinct.

What if the Lord’s nearness was instinctual to us? What if every time we faced a frightening situation, we said, “The Lord is near”? Try it. Think about something that is creating tension in your heart right now. Before you think about that too long, shout these words: “THE LORD IS NEAR!!” Claim God’s promise.

Cross reference Paul statement in Rom 13:11 (And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.) James 5:8 (Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh)

Make it your own. This nearness has a future component as well. Not only is He presently near, His return is imminent. He will bring justice. The Enemy whom Jesus defeated on the cross and by His resurrection will no longer nip at your heels.

Jesus will set everything right and establish true peace both inside you and around you.

2. Peace comes from taking advantage of the Lord’s attentiveness. (vv. 6-7)

Nearness is not enough to provide peace. On an airplane, people are close to you, but that fact does not bring you comfort. It makes you uneasy. Each stranger on a flight usually does everything he can to maintain a tight bubble by immersing himself in work, a book, a nap, or a movie.

The less interaction there is, the better. Jesus, however, does pay attention. He wants to intervene and involve Himself in your life and its struggles. Even if He doesn’t see fit to “fix” your present source of anxiety, He is close enough and aware enough to wipe your tears and hold you close.

Paul refers to Jesus as “the Lord.” He is the Master. The One Who holds the universe and keeps the stars and planets in place is actively listening for your voice. Do you believe that He has the power to do something about your situation? Then, talk to Him about it. You’ve talked to yourself and to others enough. It’s time to take it to the only One who can perfectly resolve your suffering.

3. Peace comes from focusing on the Lord’s blessings. (v. 8)

What we ponder will determine our emotional makeup. That is why Paul cautions us about the danger of an undisciplined mind (2 Cor. 10:5). We must think about our negative situation long enough for us to bring it to God in prayer as Paul counsels in verse 6. But once we’ve left it with God, it is then time to turn our attention away from our deficit and toward God’s bounty.

The natural mind drifts toward the negative. Fear, “what if’s,” possible negative outcomes—these can occupy our thoughts. So, we must make a preemptive strike and fill our minds with what is constructive (Is. 26:3; Ps. 1:2).

This is not positive thinking tottering on a wish. Instead, it is faith-filled meditation founded securely on the promises of God! Believing a desired outcome is going to happen according to your expectations doesn’t make it any

more likely. But rehearsing the character and promises of God will give you peace regardless of what happens in your situation.

4. Peace comes from obeying the Lord’s commands. (v. 9)

Fear results in disobedience. Disobedience puts a barrier between you and God.

That barrier prevents the Holy Spirit from producing the peace that is the supernatural result of His control (Gal. 5:22).

The true source of all anxiety is a failure to obey God. Adam lost his peace when he rebelled against God’s prohibition to eat that piece of fruit (Gen.3:7-8). From the Garden to our present time and place, the refusal to trust God and do what He says creates tension within us. The only way for God’s peace to flood us is for obedience to constantly characterize our actions.

Conclusion: According to the angels’ announcement, Jesus came to bring “peace on earth.”

It will happen. However, in between His first coming to die and His return to rule, turmoil and chaos are prevalent in the world. Though these fill the planet, they do not have to fill your heart. You can have peace now.

That peace does not originate from a large balance at the bank, a secure position in your company, satisfying relationships with family and friends, or a clean report from the doctor. It comes from a vital relationship with Jesus and obedience to His commands.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Peace in Relationships

A relationship with God marked by loyalty and love is also described as a relationship of peace (contra Westermann, “Peace [Shalom],” 40). Although it appears sometimes as if the wicked have peace (Job 21:9; Psa 73:3), in reality peace with God is the possession not of the wicked (Isa 48:22; 57:21) but of those who are meek (Psa 37:11) and righteous (Isa 57:1–2), who serve Yahweh (Psa 35:27), who love the law of God (Psa 119:165), and who please the Lord (Prov 16:7). The nature of this peace with God is evidently glorious and much more than the absence of hostility—for peace is parallel with good things (Deut 23:6; Ezra 9:12), such as:

• inheriting the land (Psa 37:11);

• long life (Prov 3:2);

• quietness and trust (Isa 32:17–18);

• righteousness (Pss 35:27; 37:37; 72:3; 85:10; Isa 48:18; 60:17);

• strength (Psa 29:11);

• tranquility (Gen 15:15; Exod 18:23; 2 Kgs 2:6; Psa 4:8; Isa 32:17);

• divine steadfast love (Jer 16:5).

Those possessing this peace have a future (Psa 37:37), joy (Prov 12:20), and long life (Psa 34:14). Aaron’s blessing demonstrates a link between peace and God’s presence (Num 6:24–26; compare Pss 29:11; 85:8, 11; Durham, “שָׁלוֹם, shalom; and the Presence of God,” 281–93).