WALK IN PEACE

“You will keep him in Perfect PEACE, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” – Isaiah 26:3

To Walk in God’s Way is to WALK IN PEACE: “You will keep him in Perfect PEACE, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa.26:3). This is God’s reassuring promise to the steadfast mind and trusting heart. It was spoken in the darkest era of Israel’s history, and is apt for our days, when humanity is going through uncertain and perplexing times, with constant threats of terror and fear. We are not promised freedom from trouble while on this side of eternity, but we can walk in peace even in turbulent times: “LORD, You will establish peace for us…” (Isa.26:12a); “the work of righteousness will be peace…quietness and assurance forever” (Isa.32:17); “for you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace…” (Isa.55:12). Walking in Peace is holding to God’s Promises of Peace!

The human heart constantly longs for peace and many individuals and groups have devoted themselves to trying to mediate conflicts and promote peace. While those who work ceaselessly for peace are to be applauded, their efforts are too often in vain because they seek for peace where it least exists: “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace” (Isa.59:8). Romans 3:17 accurately describes this same sad reality of the human condition.

History is the story of human conflict, instability, violence, and war. Even times of relative peace seem in the long-run to have been nothing more than the preparation for the next war. Humanity has yearned for and struggled for peace, which eludes her, but the Bible reveals the Way of Peace and how we can walk and live in it.

God is the Author and Source of Perfect Peace: freedom from inner turbulence; perfect harmony reigning within the soul, that’s known as “Shalom”! Wading through the toughest trials and severest storms, the trusting soul can experience inward peace, and calm, quiet confidence (Isa.30:15). To Walk in Perfect Peace is to be spiritually healthy, mentally sound, free from all inner discord, and with no room for any negative emotions.

God’s Peace is perfect in quality, quantity, and constancy. It is different from the semblance of peace that the world offers. The Lord Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you; not as the world gives” (Jh. 14:27a). The world ignorantly says “’Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace” (Jer.6:14b). The stagnant pool may look calm and peaceful, but underneath is foul with slime. Divine Peace garrisons our minds and calms our hearts (Phil.4:7).

Perfect Peace is ours only IN the Prince of Peace – Christ Jesus (Isa.9:6). This Peace is the Lord Himself within us, not a mere experience or transient emotion. He is the Assurance of our cheerful peace amidst the world’s woes (Jh.16:33). Christ “made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col.1:20a). This peace is then produced in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who fills and floods our lives: “The kingdom of God is…righteousness, PEACE, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom.14:17; Gal.5:22). Filled with God’s Peace, we can “follow Peace with all men…” (Heb.12:14a). We receive this peace through daily obedience to God’s Word: “Great peace have those who love Your law: and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psa.119:165).

We must never give up on God’s Peace: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the GOD of PEACE will be with you” (Phil.4:9). As we follow the Prince of Peace, we’ll never lack Grace to Walk in Peace!