“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 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. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:25-27
Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure. He knew that uncertain times were coming, so He told them that they would not be left alone. The Holy Spirit was going to come alongside of them to be their helper. God was going to send the Holy Spirit to be their teacher and to remind them of all the things that Jesus spoke to them.
The Lord knew that in times of difficulty most people desire to have the support and the help of their loved ones. In addition, under pressure people focus on the problem and forget about God’s reassuring words. So the Lord allowed the Holy Spirit to come upon people and to inhabit them. They would no longer be an orphan in an insecure and selfish world. Instead, they would have the help and reassurance of the Holy Spirit to calm their storms and give them hope for their future.
It’s interesting that Jesus stated the peace He gives is not like the peace the world gives. Worldly peace is dependent on agreeable conditions. The peace the world offers is circumstantial. When things go our way, we are peaceful, but when things don’t go our way, we lose our peace. The peace the Lord gives us is relational. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus as a dove. Doves are gentle and remain where there is peace and calmness. The peace of God is intended to remain in us through the habitation of the Holy Spirit and our relationship with Him.
All of us are prone to losing our peace. Some of us very emotional people, and we can allow our emotions to run the show and make us lose our peace. Others are very analytical and if the facts don’t add up, we can lose our peace. Others have a strong will and keep pushing for their way, and when they can’t get it, they lose their peace. Some are very perceptive, and when they see injustice, they lose their peace. In every situation, we lose our peace when we allow our soul to determine the outcome. The supernatural peace of God surpasses our feelings, thoughts, will, and perception. When we don’t have all the answers, we can still have the peace of God ruling our hearts. The peace of God is the calming force that gives us rest in life.
Years ago, when I was in the process of returning to the Lord, in a moment of time, all my anguish and heaviness was gone. I had a magnificent encounter with the Lord that brought peace and surpassed my understanding. This was a supernatural gift from the Lord that I enjoyed very much. In that time period, there wasn’t anything in the natural that could move me and or cause me to lose my peace. These kinds of encounters give us a taste of His peace, so we can pursue Him and remain in His peace.
What are the obstacles to maintaining the peace of God in your life? I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.
