“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 .“–John 14:27
Peace is a sweet sounding word. The very mention of it conjures up mental images of a placid lake, lush green pastures, shade trees, and birds singing—things that relate to a relaxed state of mind. But, although we all want it, very few have the “peace that passeth all understanding” of which the Bible speaks (Phil. 4:7). Many even doubt that peace is possible. But in out text Jesus, the Prince of Peace, promises us that peace is possible.
The late Ray Stedman said, “I wonder how many Christians have really come to understand the great fact that peace is our inheritance. Peace is what Jesus has left us. It is basic and fundamental and cannot be taken away from us by any circumstance. That is what he means by “I give not as the world gives.”
How does the world give peace? If you were troubled, upset, and disturbed, and you went to a doctor who was not a Christian and asked him, “What can I do to gain peace,” what would he tell you? “Take a trip. Go to Hawaii. Get away from it all.” In other words, “Change your circumstances. Get to the place where nothing bothers you, where everything is peaceful around you. Then you can be at peace.”
But Jesus says, “I give peace right in the midst of trouble, right in the midst of distress and turmoil and heartache and pressure. I can impart peace to your heart right there, and not as the world gives.” Why? Because we can return to that basic relationship we have — “You in me, and I in you.” Out of that comes the guarantee that he is working out his purposes. He will bring us to the end of the trouble. He will still the storm and quiet the waves. We rest in the boat, content, knowing that “No water can swallow the ship, where lies the Master of ocean and earth and sky.” That is peace.
“Peace I leave with you. [Therefore],” the Lord adds, “let not your hearts be troubled.” That is addressed to you! It means you do not have to be upset and anxious, troubled and weary and worried. “Let not your hearts be troubled.” How? By returning to that place of rest.”
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”-Isa. 26:3
