In Psalm 119:165 we read: ‘Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.’
The Word of God tells us a great deal about God’s peace—how wonderful it is to be in this state of spirit, how to attain it, and Who gives it. To understand what my peace cost God, I need to remember what He did to give me the opportunity to live calmly, believe, and deal with the pressing matters of life. In order for things to be well with me, God allowed things to become terrible for Himself—so terrible that nothing worse could be imagined.
The presence of God’s peace was part of the plan of my salvation, and it was the strongest evidence that I have peace with God.
The finest example of this peace was the life of Jesus. As I observe the Savior’s conduct, I marvel at how calmly He behaved in critical situations, when dealing with evil people and facing Satan’s furious attacks.
When Christ had to confront people possessed by Satan—the two demoniacs who terrified the entire region—He met them without fear, cast the demons out of these tormented souls with a simple command, and told them to relate what the Lord had done for them. Because of their lawlessness, these people, tormented by Satan, had reached the very bottom of the dark abyss of sin, from which there was no return; for a person who has lost his mind and fallen under the power of demons can no longer help himself. But their encounter with Christ changed the destiny of these unfortunate men, and they found God’s peace. They sat calmly at the feet of their Deliverer and listened to His every word. Both were ready to follow Christ and become His most faithful disciples, but He commanded them to become His witnesses and tell everyone about the miracle that had taken place. The people of that region, overcome with fear, asked Jesus to leave, and He did. Yet they could not drive away their two countrymen, who had once kept the whole region in fear. They listened with interest to these two witnesses of God’s power, and later they gladly received Christ and brought all their sick to Him for healing.
Wherever Jesus went, God’s peace appeared as well. Troubled hearts found healing from fear and various diseases. Jesus healed bodies and souls. He forgave people’s sins. He gave the Bread of Life, which He Himself was.
Very often, while in mortal danger, the Lord moved boldly forward and never lost His self-control. He always treated His bitter enemies with respect and never insulted them in return. He did not display the spirit that characterized them. Christ’s perfect love drove every misunderstanding and doubt from the hearts of those who associated with Him and desired to know the truth. Christ did not turn away those who came to Him with questions or personal needs.
For every person, the Lord had something that brought joy and peace to the soul.
Oh, how many unhappy souls are now rushing about in search of this Heavenly peace and are ready to give everything to find rest, yet they seek counsel from Satan, who offers them anything except the True Source of peace and love. But some of these deceived people hear about Jesus and decide to turn to Him for salvation and help. And they receive what they ask for. God’s peace heals their weary souls.
Peace with God is what friendship with Jesus gives. It is part of the Plan of Salvation and healing, and it is what every person needs.
Overindulgence and idleness will not give rest to the soul; they will lead it to despondency and emptiness. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life will not satisfy a person or give him peace; instead, they will plunge his heart into the darkness of despair and hopelessness. No one but Christ can help him escape from there. Satan can offer his prisoners only a different cell in his prison and a chance to destroy themselves in another sphere of life. The whole world chooses this fate and then blames God for all its suffering and for the suffering of its children. But God offers His Plan, and He is ready to save everyone who turns to Him.
There was an occasion in the life of Jesus when, after a hard day’s work, He and His disciples needed to cross a lake. Jesus lay down in the boat and peacefully fell asleep, entrusting His life to the Father. Satan decided to sink the vessel and stirred up a storm. The boat was tossed from side to side, the disciples were terrified, and when the vessel began taking on water, they realized that death was inevitable. Then they remembered Jesus, Who was sleeping serenely. They woke Him and began lamenting their fate. The Lord quickly assessed the situation and commanded the wind and waves to be still. God’s peace came—first to nature, and then to the hearts of the disciples. And they asked one another: ‘What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!’ (Matthew 8:27). Nature knows the voice of its Master and obeys Him, growing calm at His command. And the One Who calms storms at sea is also able to calm human passions.
God’s peace is beautiful because everyone who comes to possess it begins to change for the better. A soul that has come under the influence of God’s Spirit grows calm amid the turmoil and is ready to learn whatever establishes it in God’s peace and does not deprive it of this condition.
I have often noticed situations that threw me off balance and brought anxiety into my life. But when I began giving these cares to Christ and following the example of my Savior, trying not to lose self-control and to remain calm, everything was resolved in a completely different way, and eventually the temptations themselves stopped occurring.
Being adventurous by nature, I was constantly seeking excitement and suffered greatly because of it, for the world and its laws are stronger than I am, and the consequences followed close behind me. Wherever I appeared, problems began. But Jesus met me and drew me to Himself, teaching me not to take part in the works of darkness.
At first, I tried to bring my rebellious spirit into the church as well, and my conduct discouraged many fellow believers. Some still avoid me, but there were also those who treated me with love and continue to rejoice in my changes and victories in Jesus.
When, in response to this revolutionary’s thirst for change, God gave me His love, I realized that I had found the most precious treasure, which brought peace into my heart. And I began to study this gift of Heaven.
I see that this same peace in Agape love, which became available to me through my testimonies about God’s love, is being passed on to other people as well. This brings such joy that I want to dig even deeper and give even more.
Those who meet me now see the product of God’s grace and think that I have always been this way. I do not disappoint them; I give them God’s love as best I can. But I know who I was and through Whom I have changed. Therefore, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling and carefully carry my heart like a fragile vase, so that I will not stumble and break it. Yet I am comforted by the knowledge that if I fall now, I fall into Christ’s hand or into the ocean of God’s love. These falls do not destroy my life, but teach me that there is still something I need to leave behind and change with God’s help. And God’s peace fills me. I continually admire it and ceaselessly thank Jesus for everything He is doing with me. It is not that I am so strong in spirit; it is He Who overcomes every evil within me. And this is such happiness!
Bible verses for this chapter:
Luke 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17–20; Romans 5:1; 8:5–6; Matthew 10:12–13; Luke 10:5–7; 24:36; John 20:19–22, 26; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Numbers 6:24–26; Proverbs 17:1