| “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” The Holy Spirit of God has Paul include this instruction along with many other directives as to how we are to live as believers in Christ Jesus. Amid all the adverse circumstances [which the Lord has allowed for the believers testing of faith] we have seen and are still seeing this year, how are you doing in allowing the peace of God to rule in your heart? We have heard many messages and lessons about this, but are we actually living by faith and allowing God’s peace to do its’ work in our life? The peace of God is an inner quietness, rest, contentment, confidence that we can have regardless of any and all circumstances of life. This is easier said than done – only done through the power of our Lord – just like the verse says. Note what the Lord Jesus said in John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The Covid vaccine and the election of certain officials is the kind of peace the world offers. This peace is insufficient. The peace Jesus gives is the declaration of the truth of His Word. Spending consistent time personally reading His Word, faithfulness to church to hear messages and lessons based on His Word, recalling verses memorized in time past all contribute to the peace of God that passes all understanding [Philippians 4: 6,7]. God says to let this peace rule in our hearts. It is a choice that I make. Rule means to govern, to settle a dispute. The way I see this consistently happening is when adverse conditions come my way, the Holy Spirit reminds me of Bible verses that give me that inner quietness and contentment. When I sit down in the morning to have my Bible time or devotions, just reading and meditating on the Word provides that supernatural quietness to help me handle the adverse circumstances in a way that honors my Lord – ie – according to the very Word I am reading! Please notice that it is the duty of every Christian to choose the peace of God through His Word. In so doing, this promotes unity among the believers, we are able to move forward as one unit in adverse circumstances for the glory of our Saviour! Then, the verse is closed with “be ye thankful”. So, as we apply the Word to our lives during the difficulties we face, God gives us a peace to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” [2 Timothy 2:3]. This is surely something to be thankful for! |