Peace

“They have also healed the hurt of my people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, Peace!’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14).  In this passage of scripture the prophet Jeremiah is warning God’s people to open themselves up to the sovereignty of His leadership.  Their hearts had been turned from the Word of God, which once pierced their hearts and brought them to repentance.  Instead, they began to listen to men who promised no evil would come upon them even if they turned from God’s commandments.  Human nature was just as prone to follow carnality then as it is now.  True peace and prosperity come from an intimate relationship with our Creator and a right relationship with others.  Forfeiting that peace by worrying anxiously about the future will bring only confusion and fear.  Worry is making a down payment on something you will never own.   However, staying in close communion with Jesus, walking in character, integrity and trusting Him to fulfill the promises He has already placed within you, will prepare you for whatever circumstances may arise.  The peace we have in Jesus has more to do internally, with our hearts, than it does with situations and circumstances that are external.  There may be hard times ahead for the world, but we are in the world, not of it (John 17:12, 14).  As long as we are drawing nigh to God, He will draw nigh unto us (James 4:8).  “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment, but he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1John 4:17-18).  Who is he that overcomes the world?  It is he who has faith in God. It is our faith that brings victory to overcome the world.  Faith, love and obedience are our spiritual weapons that prepare us for times of battle and times of war.  “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith” (1 John 5:4).  Stay in the Word of God, stay faithful, and seek His face diligently.  “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).  That is our Victory.