Are you at peace or is there turmoil in your heart and life?
Peace is a tranquil and calm state of mind even during times of difficulties. The Greek word “peace” means “that which has been bound together.” Peace does not mean that you will not have problems. Jesus said in John 16:33, ”In the world you will have tribulation (trials and sorrows) but have courage; I have overcome the world.”
Our health may fail, we might lose our jobs, war might rage against us, but Jesus tells us that He has overcome the world! In Matt. 11:28 Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This “rest” is peace beyond all understanding, a peace that rests/remains in Christ while relying on His strength and not ours.
We all need shoes – sports shoes, church shoes, work shoes, or boots for rainy weather. I often wear shoes with ice cleats under them so I cannot slip on dangerous ice outside. Roman soldiers had cleats/spikes under their shoes to help them be sure footed when attacked, so the enemy could not knock them down easily.
Eph. 6 tells us, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the Gospel of PEACE.”
Our circumstances can push us over if we’re not standing firmly in Christ’s protection and His love and salvation. Satan delights in attacking us and robbing us of our peace, but he cannot keep us away from God’s purposes in our lives. Therefore, we need to put on shoes of peace – Christ’s peace! Peace helps us to remain established in our Lord’s plans and purposes for us and enables us to carry the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection to a world which needs His love and redemption. It is a prevailing, conquering, powerful peace.
Heavenly Father, thank You that in You we can have complete and effectual peace. Thank You that we can trust in Your protection and Your calmness no matter what the future may bring. We love You and are so grateful that You take our burdens so that we need not carry them ourselves, that Your peace can be our peace too. Amen.
Myrtle Turunen