Protected By Peace

Peace is often seen as something external and dependent on the alignment of circumstances.

All we have to do is look through history to see a long record of peace agreements.

The problem is that these peace agreements are usually broken eventually.

Biblically speaking, peace is not something that we gain through the absence of conflict.

Peace is a state of inner calm that flows out of our faith in Christ.

Let’s look at a Biblical example of true peace.

2 Kings 6:8-17

2 Kings 6:8–17 NKJV

8 Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice. 11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” 14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The king of Syria is at war with Israel.

God keeps revealing his strategies and plans to Elisha who warns the Israelite king.

The king of Syria decides to take Elisha out.

His armies surround the city.

From a human understanding of peace, there is no reason to have any here.

Elisha has a Biblical understanding of peace.

He is calm and assured, not because his circumstances are perfect but because He knows that God is in control!

If our eyes could be opened as Elisha’s servants were, we would see that God has even the most dire of circumstances well in hand.

God knows what He is doing.

Peace comes when we place our trust in the Lord alone.

Tonight we are going to look at what is probably the most well-known passage on peace.

Go with me to Philippians 4:6-7.

Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

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.

What this passage has for us is two commands and an outcome.

When we follow the commands, we get the outcome.

Fail to follow the commands, and we don’t get the outcome.

Here is the first command.

Stop Being Anxious

Anxious - μεριμνάω (merimnaō) be anxious; care for. to worry (be concerned) v. — to be concerned with. Finite verb, present, active, imperative, second person, plural.

Anxious - μεριμνάω (merimnaō)

Nothing = not one thing.

The idea here is this “do not be anxious about even 1 thing.”

This is not talking about blissful ignorance that ignores problems.

There are things we should be concerned about.

However, it is what we do with that concern that matters.

The anxiety Paul has in view here is an obsessive and constant worrying over something.

Paul used this same word translated anxious in 2:20 when he commended Timothy’s being anxious for the welfare of the Philippians.

Philippians 2:20

Philippians 2:20 NKJV

20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

“Care” is the same word that is translated “anxious” in our passage.

Where does this leave us?

It is good to be concerned about the welfare of others.

In fact, we are practically commanded to in 1 Corinthians 12:25.

1 Corinthians 12:25

1 Corinthians 12:25 NKJV

25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

We are to care for one another, be concerned for one another.

This could be the welfare of our children, a situation at work, an issue with a spouse.

It is okay to be concerned for those things.

It is not okay is to allow worry to consume our lives.

It is not okay to allow concern for others or circumstances to derail our Spiritual growth or service for Christ.

We see a picture of this in Luke 10:41.

Luke 10:41

Luke 10:41 NKJV

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

This is the difference!

An anxiety that leads us to take action is okay.

I may be anxious about a test, so I study for it. That’s good!

I may be anxious about some bad decisions my child has made, so I talk to them about it. That’s good!

An anxiety that paralyzes us and makes us ineffective for Christ is not okay.

I’m anxious about the test so I eat a tub of ice cream. Not good.

I’m anxious about a bad decision my child made, so I stay up all night worried about it. Not good.

That’s the contrast.

Anxiety that leads to action or that causes paralysis.

Have we felt that difference in our lives?

Peace is impossible when we are consumed by worry.

The key there is consumed.

If something is consuming all our thought space, we are essentially enslaved to that thing.

What is supposed to consume our minds?

The things of Christ!

That’s the first command.

Stop being anxious.

Command #2…

Pray About Everything

Philippians 4:6 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

But = contrast.

Instead of being anxious, give God your requests.

In everything.

Every circumstance and situation that we get into as believers should be covered with prayer.

This word “prayer” speaks of a petition.

This is speaking of prayer in general.

“Supplication” is the idea of specific requests that we make to God.

This is asking God for specific needs to be met.

“Requests” is used here to encompass everything we bring to the Lord.

All of this is to be done with thanksgiving.

That is our attitude.

We thank God for the opportunity and privilege to lay our requests at His feet.

1 Peter 5:7 says

1 Peter 5:7

1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

“Be made known” is the imperative here.

We are commanded to let our requests be made known to God!

Doesn’t he already know them? Yes. Yes He does.

So why do we tell Him?

Because it unburdens our heart.

We cast our cares on Him.

These are our two options, worry about everything, or give it to the Lord in prayer.

Peace comes when we give our problems away.

That’s what we are doing in prayer.

The situations and circumstances may not change, but our attitude does.

When we trust the Lord with our trials and troubles, He will carry them.

What is on your heart that you need to give to the Lord?

Don’t wait.

The worry isn’t making you a better person.

It is robbing you of joy and peace.

2 commands.

Stop being anxious.

Pray about everything.

Here’s the outcome.

When we keep the commands, we…

Experience God’s Peace

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Four important points about peace are made here.

First.

It is God’s peace

When we give our cares to the Lord, it doesn’t create peace.

We don’t make peace.

God gives us His peace.

The fact that it is God’s peace means that the only way we can access it is through him!

To have peace we must receive it from the Lord.

He has told us how to get it, all we have to do is obey.

God’s peace is available to every believer.

Second important point about peace.

Peace is beyond understanding

This word translated “surpasses” is very interesting.

Surpasses - ὑπερέχω (hyperechō) be better than; surpass. to be superior v. — to be or become of greater quality or value. Verb, present, active, attributive participle, singular, nominative, feminine.

Surpasses - ὑπερέχω (hyperechō)

The peace that God gives is beyond our capacity to understand!

“Understanding” is literally “mind”.

So we could Biblically say the following.

The peace of God blows our minds.

I cannot understand or explain to you how praying about something can change my entire outlook.

I give it to the Lord and suddenly, everything is different.

Why? How? I don’t know. It’s beyond my understanding.

But I thank God for it anyway!

Peace cannot be understood, it must be embraced.

Third important point about peace.

It guards our hearts and minds

“Will guard” is a future, active, indicative which means that it absolutely will take place.

When we give everything to the Lord, His peace will, absolutely and without a doubt, guard our hearts and minds.

God’s peace defends our heart and it defends our minds.

Heart = seat of human volition, will, and emotion.

Mind = thoughts. ability to reason

When we are sucked into anxiety it affects our emotions, our desires, our mood, even our ability to think clearly.

That is one of the tactics employed by our enemy.

He wants our hearts to be confused! He wants our minds clouded!

Peace defends us!

We are protected by the peace of God.

However, we don’t get peace if we are not giving everything to the Lord in prayer!

Fourth important point about peace.

It is given through Christ

Part of what gives us peace is our awareness of everything we have in Christ.

He loves us.

We are chosen in Him.

No matter how bad things may get, He is coming back for us!

The person and work of Jesus Christ gives us peace!

Nothing can pluck us out of His hand!

We are secure in Him forever!

The promises we have in Christ give us peace in present difficulty.

We have to know the promises.

It is possible to have peace.

However, peace is not automatic.

CHALLENGE:

Peace comes when we intentionally stop worrying and start praying.

That is our challenge.