Day 3 of our guest blog series by Debra continues… How are you doing? Are you “bearing much fruit”?
Hello Ladies,
Today’s word “peace” comes at a time when we are being bombarded by messages of just the opposite – chaos and turmoil.
I read about the Hebrew term “shalom,” and this is what I learned. “The Jewish people use it as a greeting, and it has such a rich meaning. It comes from the root word that means “to be safe in mind, body or estate.” It speaks of completeness, fullness, or a type of wholeness that encourages you to give back – to generously re-pay something in some way. True biblical shalom refers to an inward sense of completeness or wholeness.”
Now doesn’t that sound like something we all desire? Safety, completeness, wholeness. I found some Bible verses that talk about peace from God. We will start with a famous blessing that originally was from God to the Hebrew people. I definitely want this blessing from Him.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Here are a few verses straight from Jesus while He was on earth:
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Here are a few verses that are directives and call to action on our part:
Psalm 34:13 “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
These are some verses that let us know the benefits of living in God’s peace:
Psalm 29:11 “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Proverbs 14:30 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 32:17 “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Wow! That is a lot of verses! Hopefully you took the time to glance/read through them. There definitely are some amazing benefits of having God’s peace in our hearts and minds.
What are we pursuing? How do you think our thoughts, actions, reactions, and responses might change if we were allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us with the peace that only He can give? Would we have a different outlook? Would people closest to us notice a difference?
I want to have His kind of peace! The only kind that no matter what is going on around me, my heart and mind will stay focused on God and others will be able to sense His peace in my life.
Shalom,
Debra