My Peace I Give Unto You

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

A reporter asked the late President Herbert Hoover, "Mr. President, how do you handle criticism? Do you ever get agitated or tense?" "No," President Hoover said, seemingly surprised at the question, "of course not." "But," the reporter went on, "when I was a boy you were one of the most popular men in the world. Then, for a while you became one of the most unpopular, with nearly everyone against you. Didn't any of this meanness and criticism ever get under your skin?" "No, I knew when I went into politics what I might expect, so when it came I wasn't disappointed or upset," he said. He lowered his familiar bushy eyebrows and looked directly into the reporter's eyes. "Besides, I have 'peace at the center,' you know," he added. Inner peace comes from looking to God, our source. Peace is the gift of Jesus Christ. Jesus, before leaving His disciples, said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you".

In today’s world, everyone is throwing around the word peace – world peace – Middle East Peace – peace here – peace there.  But try as they might, the world will never know peace.  There is a popular church sign saying: No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace.  Apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, there can be no peace.  He promises His disciples that He would leave peace with them – and then He specifies that it is not the same type of peace that the world seeks after, but it is an inward peace of the heart.

The prophets of Israel knew there could be no peace apart from Christ.  Isaiah 48:22 says, “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.”  He repeats the same statement in Isaiah 57:21, “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”  Jeremiah tells us in 6:14 and 8:11, “Saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”  He also says in Jeremiah 14:19, “We looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!”  Ezekiel 13:16 says, “The prophets of Israel . . . see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord God.”  Such a sad commentary of the times – but alas, the Truth – apart from Him who is the author of peace, there can be no peace.

But as I have quoted so many times, there is perfect peace to be found in Christ.  Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  Psalm 119:105, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”  John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

I rest beneath the Almighty's shade,

My griefs expire, my troubles cease;

Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed,

Wilt keep me still in perfect peace.

Charles Wesley

Quote – “There cannot be any peace where there is uncertainty.” – D.L Moody

"Lord, Thank you for your great peace. Thank you for working your great peace in our lives.  Help us to trust in you more and more, for it's through this trust that you demonstrate your peace.  Amen."