‘You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You’ (Isaiah 26:3); where the term ‘keep him’ refers to protection, a concealing and preservation for those whose eyes stay focused on Jesus, who is the Word of God. The peace of God does not refer to a surrender, or fleeting human peace; this is the peace that is independent of all circumstances, the peace that transcends all human understanding and influence. This is the peace found in the middle of a storm, in the middle of the worst circumstances, ‘the power over crises’, a place found only in God by those whose focus perpetually remains on Him without wandering. The Bible tells us, ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:4-6). But children of God choose to worry instead of making their requests known to God, they want their grievances attended to first before experiencing God’s peace – that was not the instruction! Apostle Peter teaches, ‘Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you’ (1 Peter 5: 6-7). This is what humility is, accepting your own fallibilities and accepting that God can take care of your worries; it is the casting of cares at God’s feet wholeheartedly and not proceeding to pick them up again because you believe more in your own strength than you do in God’s. The Apostle uses a forceful term to signal how believers should lay their worries at God’s feet, the same term that is used in reference to the ‘casting’ out of demons (Mark 16:17) – you are not meant to hang onto your troubles, give these cheerfully and forcefully to the Father, who is able to save and protect you.
‘Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life’ (Proverbs 4:23) – this is an exhortation from the wise King Solomon, who perceived the necessity of having watchful faculties over our heart (thinking, emotions, etc.) because of the ramifications that follow an ungodly capture in this regard. However, in Philippians 4:6, Apostle Paul teaches that it is the peace of God that is responsible for guarding our hearts – meaning that the best way to guard one’s heart is by employing this peace, which is experienced when one’s eye is steadily focused on His Word. At the first instance of an attack, the child of God’s first response and instinct should be the Word, it acts as a barrier against the effects of tribulation. The peace of God is resident in your spirit, it has been given to you, and the Word of God stirs it up within you. Apostle Paul continues to say, ‘Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things’ (Philippians 4:8) – it matters what you think about, choose to ponder on all things that express the person of Christ. Do not wait until you understand, you have to do the Word of God, and your understanding will increase in like manner.
The Apostle also told the church, ‘let the peace of God rule in your hearts…’ (Colossians 3:15); where the term ‘rule’ was also used in reference to the governing of empires. This then implies that God’s peace ought to make decisions on your behalf, leading you towards God’s will for your life. But when you do not have the Word of God, you cannot align yourself to the frequency that can order your steps. You have to train yourself to God’s leading, do not be afraid of making mistakes – God can never be disadvantaged, He requires only a willing heart to walk with. He is able to make all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28) and He will perfect all that concerns you (Psalms 138:8). The Lord Jesus said, ‘Abide in Me, and I in you…’ (John 15:4), therefore continue to keep your eye focused on Jesus, He is the source of your life and your progress. The Lord also said, ‘The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light’ (Matthew 6:22) – where the ‘eye’ being referred to is your spiritual insight, understanding, imagination and thinking; when your eye is fixed on Him, your whole body (life) will be saved. ‘…Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’ – Jesus Himself had to look beyond the cross and into the glorious future, that was how He endured, and it is how we will endure too. Be like Jesus!
Prayer
Father, we thank You for the peace that surpasses all understanding that has been deposited into our spirit. We thank You for Your word, that is able to make alive all we have in Christ. We commit our ways to your guidance, gazing continuously at your countenance. You make firm the steps of all who delight in You, and though we may stumble, we will not fall, You uphold us with Your hand! Hallelujah!
