Enjoying Peace. An Unshakable Hope

When the circumstances of life aren’t going my way, I must remember what Biblical Joy and Peace is.

When I am overwhelmed with passion, I shouldn’t let my emotions define joy and peace. (False joy).

Genesis 15:1–2 NKJV

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

Here the Lord God presents Himself as the reward of Abram, yet in the fretful and childless mind of Abram he immediately confronts God requesting the blessing of a child. I certainly don’t want to read too much into the text. However, it is striking to me that Abram is not far more astonished by such a statement from God and that he instead it much more focused on a blessing, rather than the Blesser. False joy is that which is based in materials or circumstances. But real, Christian joy is that which cannot be touched.

Tim Keller says this about Joy:

Definition – Delight in God and his salvation for sheer beauty and worth of who he is.

Opposite – Hopelessness, despair.

Counterfeit – Elation that comes with blessings not the Blesser! Mood swings based on circumstances.

Now, what is false peace? This is a big one. There are many people who claim Christ as their Lord, yet they care nothing of Him, His Word, or His Church. And they rejoice in the peace of knowing they are somehow “saved” while living a wicked lifestyle that says they’ve never met the Lord. It is important for us who claim to know Christ to make our calling and election sure. To examine whether we genuinely know Christ as both our Lord and Saviour.

Keller goes on to say this about Peace:

Definition – Confidence and rest in the wisdom and sovereignty of God more than your own.

Opposite – Anxiety and worry

Counterfeit – Indifference, apathy, not caring about something. “I don’t care.”

When I am overwhelmed with heartache, I must rest in the presence of the Comforter. (John 14:26)

John 14:26 NKJV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Who reminds me that I can have joy regardless of circumstances. (2 Thessalonians 3:16) (John 16:31-33)

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NKJV

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

John 16:31–33 NKJV

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Paul and Silas In Jail (Acts 16:23-25)

Acts 16:23–25 NKJV

23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Christ in Gethsemane (Luke 22:41-42, Hebrews 12:1-2)

Luke 22:41–42 NKJV

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Who reminds me that my joy and peace is in Christ. (Ephesians 6:15) (Romans 5:1-11)

Ephesians 6:15 (NKJV)

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Romans 5:1–11 (NKJV)

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

When I am overwhelmed with self-centeredness, I should consider others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit...” But as we consider the Church in Galatia, we notice that the heart of legalism has caused an atmosphere of pride and disunity in the Church. As a matter of fact, in Romans 2:8 and James 3:16 we learn that self-centeredness is a sin that leads to a life of seeking self-satisfaction and overlooking the needs of others, and that is called evil.

And in our lives, with all that is demanded of us on a daily basis, we tend to forget all about the needs of those around us and we begin to feel like we’re the only people in the world who have problems. Or perhaps, like those in Galatia dealing with this thing of legalism, we tend to feel superior to everyone around us and that creates a heart of arrogance within us where we don’t consider those closest to us.

Knowing such joy and enjoying such peace, we are to be a people of most zealous obedience. Thomas Watson wrote, “The oil of joy makes the wheels of obedience move faster.” This is seen in Deuteronomy 6 where we find the passionate heartbeat behind the ten commandments per-say. That our hearts, our will, our mind should be totally consumed with loving obedience and consideration of God and thus, obedience to His commands. The summation of the Law is this, “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself.” And so, in our loving obedience of the command of Christ we are to love our neighbors. John 14:15, “If you love me keep my commandments.”

One way in which we can understand it is like this. “Those who are at peace with God receive something of ‘the peace of God’, which, as Paul puts it elsewhere, guards their hearts and minds ‘in Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 4:7) and should be a peacemaker within their community (Col. 3:15). Peace is therefore one of the marks of the children of God- not only peace with God but peace with one another: in the home (1 Cor. 7:15), in the Church (1 Cor. 14:33, Eph. 4:3) and in the world (Rom. 12:18).

Conclusion

How Can I Have Joy and Peace?

Are you troubled and worried? Go to God in prayer.

In 1 Samuel 1:18 we find Hannah praying and her countenance was lifted.

1 Samuel 1:18 NKJV

18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Are you troubled by your sin? Fight sin.

2 Kings 9:22 (NKJV)

22 Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

Romans 6:14 NKJV

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Are you troubled by your conscience? Maintain a clear conscience.

1 Peter 3:16 NKJV

16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

Acts 24:16 NKJV

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.