“Be At Peace”!

 Text:  Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

 Peace is from the Greek root word, eire’ne (i-ray-nay), from a primary verb (to join); prosperity; quietness; rest.

This lets us know that God wants our hearts, not the muscle that pumps blood throughout the body, but the (thoughts or feelings [mind]; the very middle of you, to connect totally with Christ so that within you, there can be quietness (stillness; calm) and rest (ease; relaxation) from the circumstances that may surround you.  So prosperity is more than just having money and things. 

·         3 John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper (be well; succeed; thrive) and be in health, even (not varying; constant) as thy soul prospers.

Our Father first of all already knows our very thought and situation.  He sees all of our imperfections, yet He’s faithful because He is our “always present help”! 

In growing unto perfection obstacles will be there agitating, irritating, the enemy whispering evil thoughts trying to break us and discourage us and to get us to let down our shield of faith.  Oh, “but God”!!  The prophet Isaiah said:  26:3: Thou wilt keep (natsar’) [to guard; protect; maintain; preserve] him in perfect (tamam’) [complete] peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:  because he trusts in thee.  When we “trust” our Heavenly Father that means we are sure of His Word and have confidence with assurance in whatever He says, knowing His Word can’t fail.

·         Isaiah 55:9: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Vs 10: For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater:  vs 11: So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth:  it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Here in Philippians chapter four, Paul is extending exhortations to believers to “stand fast” in the Lord and to unify with joy also in the Lord.  Our Father is saying this to you today that are reading this message!  1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

We must understand and realize that since the beginning of time God has always provided and protected His people (Genesis 1:1-2).  Our Father has never failed any of those before us.  We are going to see how even those of the Old and New Testament had their faith tested.  We’re going to see that all that we are experiencing and going through even now whether economically, emotionally or ecclesiastically, He’s always there.

So Philippians 4:7 will become reality in our Christian life journey in Christ Jesus.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

There are a host of men and women from Genesis to Revelation, that are examples but I will use a few to show how the same God that was with “them” is with “us” right now!!

There was Moses, whose name means drawing out; extracting; water saved.  He was the son of Amram and Jochebed and brother of Aaron and Miriam of the tribe of Levi.

God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.  We know that it wasn’t an easy task.  He faced ridicule, criticism, backbiting and hatred which can cause discouragement and an attitude of throwing in the towel.  Especially coming from the people you are leading. Yet, we see how in Exodus chapter fourteen the children of Israel were seemingly trapped, but God stepped in.

·         Exodus 14:10: And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lift up their eyes and behold the Egyptians marched after them:  and they were sore (mightily) afraid:  and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.

·         Vs 16: And as Moses lifted up his rod and stretched out his hand over the sea, it divided and the children of Israel crossed over on dry land.

Joshua, who was one of the two spies who came back with the good report, was Moses’ minister and leader of Moses’ army.  Israel was now under his leadership.  He is to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land.  Joshua’s name means Jah is Saviour and Jehovah is Deliverer.  In Hebrew the name is identical with the name Jesus.  Both names are derived from the word Jehovah, meaning “I AM THAT I AM”!!  Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 13:8).

Joshua as a leader now having to assure the people they would possess the land having already heard a bad report from the other ten leaders, now they’re faced with Jericho, a fenced city.  Jericho covered about eight acres.  It was a fortress city (a military stronghold), not just for its residents but for the inhabitants of the nearby countryside.  The walls may have been as much as thirty feet high and twenty feet thick.  It was considered to be invincible.

Are you facing a Jericho?  Jericho in Hebrew means “moon”.  The moon and the different phases it goes through typifying the different aspects of the workings of the devil against God’s people.  The definition of it in the Greek sends you back to the Hebrew.  See how the enemy makes situations, things and circumstances seem invincible?  But we should never let our shield of faith down, for we already know we are to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). 

·         1Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. 

A wonderful and good thing is, what Joshua did was, he obeyed “a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand”.  He was submissive, willing, and ready to obey his lord (Joshua 5:13-15).  And through obedience the walls of Jericho fell down after compassing the city thirteen times.  So much for the number thirteen being a “bad number” and it might be for those that don’t know God, but for those that know Him, everything He did was “good” but when He included man (male & female), He said it was “very good” (Genesis 1:1-31).  The Israelites compassed the city once for six days and on the seventh day they encompassed it seven times (Joshua 5:10-16). 

This teaches us that our Father’s Presence is with and in us and that we are never alone in our struggles or our Jericho’s.  Spiritual forces are fighting on our behalf.

·         2 Corinthians 10:4: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;   vs 5: Casting down imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ:  vs 6: Having a readiness to avenge all obedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

There’s Daniel:  Still talking about “being at peace”, even in adversity.  He was thrown into the lion’s den because of jealous individuals that will lie on you for no reason!  Have you ever been lied on?  People will even set traps to entrap you just because you love God or because you won’t join their clubs to go along, just to get along.  Well, Daniel never deterred from his praying three times a day before and he wasn’t about to change it for anyone.

·         Daniel 6:6: Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king and said thus unto him, King Darius, live forever.  Vs 7: All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

What if this was your church family?  What if this happened to you at your work place?  What if this happened to you among family members?  What would you do?  Would you give in?  Would you consult God? Would you lose sleep?  Would you compromise?  Let’s see what Daniel did, especially concerning his faith.

·         Vs 10: Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Because the king had signed the decree into law it could not be changed and he (reluctantly) commanded and they brought Daniel and threw him into a den of hungry lions.  But as we all know, God shut the mouths of those hungry lions.  Daniel 6:18-23, The king in haste went unto the den of lions and cried out to Daniel with a lamented voice and found that Daniel was still alive by a miracle and commanded him to be made free.  Let’s see what happened to Daniel’s accusers.

·         Vs 24: And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and break all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

I’m reminded of Psalm 105:15: Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

So let us not be peace breakers but peace makers!  Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers (eirenopoios’) [pacificatory [tend toward peace] for they shall be called the children (sons) of God.

All the above had a common goal and that was they called on the name of the Lord!!

Still talking about “being at peace”!

As we go into the New Testament, we find Jesus of Nazareth, our prime example who shaped and made disciples, apostles and touched many people of all walks of life, changing their lives forever. 

Remember earlier I gave you the definition of Jericho as being “moon”, and moon typifying the devil himself.  Well, Jesus also had Jericho’s to conquer to give us the victory! 

Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan):

·         Vs 30: Jesus answering said, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead”.

That certain man was Jesus that went down from Jerusalem (the city of peace) to Jericho (the city of moons) and fell among thieves (the religious leaders).  This is a picture of His crucifixion, but He didn’t stay dead, He rose with all power.  St. John 1:11: He came to his own, and his own received him not, but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.  There were many Jews that received Him, but also Gentiles!

·         Ephesians 2:14: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us:  vs 15: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace (eire’ne)!

We are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28): There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

·         Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably (calmly; quietly; without resistance) with all men.

·         Proverbs 16:7: When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace (shalam’) [to be safe (in body, mind, or estate); completed; to be friendly; make amends] with him.

 Jesus is the one who gave His life that we all would have a right to the tree of life.  The one who gave His life that we might live!  This Jesus of Nazareth grafted us in who were once alienated (isolated; estranged), not annihilated (destroyed utterly; obliterated):

·         Colossians 1:21: And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (brought us back to the Father).

But now because of His death, burial, and resurrection, He has made us heirs and joint-heirs in the household of faith!

·         Romans 8:16-17: The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children (seed; sons) of God:  and if children (sons), then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 This Jesus of Nazareth, Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6-7).  This Jesus of Nazareth, who died for all and rose on the third day with all power, has given that same power unto us.

·         Luke 10:19: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

·         Acts 1:8: You shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Still talking about “being at peace”!  This same Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ that’s in us empowers us, protects us, leads and guides us.  Talking about peace and “being at peace”, again:

·         Isaiah 26:3: “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee”. 

·         John 14:27: Jesus said:  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you”.  “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

Again the word peace in this verse and Philippians 4:7, both come from the same root word eire’ne, a primary verb ei’ro, meaning (to join);  prosperity; one; quietness; rest.  1 Corinthians 6:17 states:  He that is joined (kolla’o) [glued to; stuck to; keep company with] unto the Lord, is one Spirit!  Knowing that He is our “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), and we’re glued to Him, we to can be at “peace” or have “perfect peace”!!

 Eire’ne, occurs in each of the books of the New Testament except 1John. 

This is showing harmonious relationships between men:

·         Acts 7:26: And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, “Sirs, you are brethren; why do you wrong one to another”? (Speaking of Moses and his Hebrew brethren, Exodus 2:13]:

·         Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably (calmly; quietly) with all men.

·         Proverbs 16:7: When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace (shalam’) [to be safe (in body, mind, or estate); completed; to be friendly; make amends] with him. 

Peace (order) in the state:

·         Luke 14:32: Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassage (presbe’ia)[ambassadors; message; representative], and desires conditions of peace.

Peace between nations: 

·         Romans 14:19: Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify (instruct; teach; educate; guide) another.

·         Acts 24:1-3: And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.  And when he was called forth, Tertullus, began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

Peace (order) in the country:

·         Acts 12:20: And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon:  but they came with one accord to him and having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desire peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.

Peace (order) in the churches:

·         1 Corinthians 14:33: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Harmonized relationships between God and man accomplished through the Gospel:

·         Acts 10:36: The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:  (he is Lord of all).

·         Ephesians 2:15-17: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

But, Jesus said in Matthew 10:34: Think not that I am come to send peace (eire’ne) on earth:  I came not to send peace, but a sword (mach’aira) [a knife; dagger; war; judicial punishment].  But, this will come only through disobedience and unbelief.  Take a look at the next verses:

·         Vs 35: For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

·         Vs 36: A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

·         Vs 37: He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:  and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

·         Vs 38: And he that takes not his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me.

·         Vs 39: He that finds his life (soul) shall lose it:  and he that loses his life (soul) for my sake shall find it.

Anything or anyone we put before God, the sword (His Word), will bring division.  There will not be any peace with it.  Thou shalt have no other gods (companion; friends; family; material things; wealth; etc) before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:  for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God (Exodus 20:3-5).

But we are to obey:

Deuteronomy 28: 1-14 (speaks of the blessings of God through obedience): 

·         vs 1: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth. 

Vs 15-68 (speaks of the punishment of disobedience):

·         vs 15: But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.

Obedience brings the blessing:

·         Proverbs 10:22: The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow (et’seb) [toil; pang (whether of body or mind); grief] with it.

·         Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

·         Mark 12:30: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:  this is the first commandment.

In relation to “unbelief”:

·         John 3:17-18: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believes on him is not condemned :  but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

·         Hebrew 11:1: Now faith is the substance (confidence) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof) of things not seen.  Vs 6: But without faith it is impossible to please (gratify entirely [make happy]; fully agreeable; acceptable] him:  for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently (whole heartedly] seek him.

But God through the prophet Haggai, promised us peace:

·         2:9: The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts:  and in this place will I give peace (shalowm’) [safety; well; happy; health; prosperity; rest] / (shalam’) [to be safe (in mind, body, or estate); to be completed; restored] , saith the LORD of hosts.

So whatever you’re going through, knowing that God will never leave you nor forsake you, all you have to do is stand still and see God’s salvation, because the battle is not yours, it is the Lord’s!!

So people of God, “be at peace”!!

Evangelist Mary Perry