Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27
In a world that longs for peace, an internet search will give you thousands of entries on how to find it. Any peace the world offers, whether from the World Wide Web or other sources, has no depth. It is a transient illusion. The peace that Jesus offers is the only one that is transcendent, permanent, and real. The Greek word for peace in today’s verse is Eirene, which the Greek lexicon defines as “the tranquil state of the soul assured of his salvation through Christ.” Further word study shows this as the “putting together that which had been divided or separated “—the opposite of division or dissension. It is not only an inner tranquility but a social unity, calm, and freedom from fear.
The peace Jesus provides does not depend on circumstances. He is present to give you peace amid disappointment, financial turmoil, anxiety, illness, and any agitation that may arise from news of wars in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere. There is no situation in which His peace is not available to you. The indwelling Spirit of the Living God offers His ever-present power, you need only to receive it through prayer and belief. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
These days, when there are wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24), while the world looks for peace, what they seek may be a delusion and an illusion. They cry, “peace, peace, but there is no peace,” as Jeremiah 6:14 says. The world will not experience true peace until Christ returns to bring an end to the present age and establish His perfect rule of peace and justice (Isaiah 2:4).
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