2 Samuel 9:1-10:19; John 14:27-31; Psalm 119:41-48; Proverbs 25:20-22
NT: ““Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me. On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.”” (John 14:27-31 CSB)
Peace (eirene in Greek) is not an absence of conflict. It is a state of tranquility in the midst of the conflict. It is security, safety, and harmony. The disciples were about to go through the most troubling and fearful time in their lives, but Jesus told them before hand to not be troubled of fearful, but to receive His peace. Jesus wasn’t giving the disciples a dose of worldly peace. He was leaving behind His peace, which is founded on a living and harmonious relationship with the Father. The devil, who had been waiting for an opportune time to strike, was about to make his move… and it would seem that God’s purposes were defeated. However, as troubling as the inevitable events would be, Jesus was at peace because He knew that the devil had no power over Him because He was in complete harmony with the Father. As long as we are found within that relationship through faith in Christ, no matter what turmoil is thrown our way, we can be safe, secure, and at peace.
Psalms: “Let your faithful love come to me, Lord, your salvation, as you promised. Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. I will always obey your instruction, forever and ever. I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts. I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. I delight in your commands, which I love. I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and will meditate on your statutes.” (Psalms 119:41-48 CSB)
The devil is referred to as the “accuser of the brethren.” It is his desire to whittle away at our faith in God through constantly taunting us to sin and accusing us when we do. When Jesus was taunted and tempted in the wilderness, He answered the devils taunts with the word which was hidden in His heart. The psalmist states here, that by trusting in God’s word and remaining secure in God’s faithful love (checed), he will be able to answer the taunts of the enemy… by studying and living out God’s ways, he can walk unashamedly in peace. Faith in God and a loving relationship with God brings peace… and all of that comes through trusting and obeying His word.
Jamie Hicks 