“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“
John 14:26-27 NKJV
“Shalom” is a Hebrew word basically meaning peace. But the thing is, it doesn’t reference just any kind of peace; it references perfect peace. It references a peace coming from being made whole, nothing lacking, everything as it should be.
Now, you may hear that definition of shalom and wonder how perfect peace could be possible in this fallen world through which we are passing.
Well, the fact is that the only source of perfect peace comes from God through Jesus Christ.
Indeed, the prophet Isaiah spoke prophetically of the One Who would bring this kind of peace.
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.“
Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
Only the Prince of Peace could bring perfect peace.
We know that the night on which Jesus was born, the heavenly host gave an announcement, foreshadowing what God would do through Jesus Christ.
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14 NKJV
Yes, through the work of Jesus Christ we can have peace with God!
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.“
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.“
Colossians 1:19-20 NKJV
But, does peace with God translate into a daily sense of being undisturbed, a daily sense of perfect peace? Well, that would be impossible if Jesus had not—along with providing for our peace with God—made a way for us to receive the One Who would minister His peace to us, even in this world.
In our opening scripture, we see that Jesus promises the disciples that He is not leaving them forsaken. No, to the contrary, He was going to send the One Who could minister His peace to us daily.
Our part in receiving and maintaining the Lord‘s perfect peace in us is to allow His Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.“
Romans 8:6 NIV
As well, we must turn over those things that are of concern to us, to the Lord through prayer.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
When we make a habit of taking what causes us to be tempted to fear and lose our sense of the Lord‘s peace, to Him in prayer, we can have unbroken, or perfect peace. And, if we don’t know how to pray for those things causing us anxiety, the Holy Spirit will help us.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.“
Romans 8:26-28 NKJV
If God has given you His precious Holy Spirit, sent to minister to you those things provided by Christ, and you know that all things are working together for your good, how can you not be at peace?
Child of God, don’t go one more day devoid of the Lord’s gift of peace operating in your life through the presence of His Holy Spirit. When the Prince of Peace rules in your heart, and in your life, perfect peace can be your state of being.
Peace to you. Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.“
John 10:10 NKJV
Jesus’ brothers had gone to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus delayed leaving, only going up after they were gone. Somewhere in the middle of the feast, Jesus showed up in the temple and taught there. Then, on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus shocked the crowd by standing in their midst and declaring something they understood very well.
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.“
John 7:37-39 NKJV
You see, every day of the feast, the priests would descend from the Temple Mount, down to the Pool of Siloam, where they would draw water in golden pitchers. Then they would make the ascent back up to the Temple Mount, pour out the water before the Lord, all the while, quoting Isaiah 12:3.
“Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.“
Isaiah 12:3 NKJV
In making a direct parallel between Himself, and the scripture they had been quoting, it was clear Jesus was proclaiming Himself to be the source of that salvation.
As well, remember, the Feast of Tabernacles was for the purpose of reminding the Jews of their time spent wondering in the wilderness. Yes, during the feast they were to remember the goodness of God, and His provision during those 40 years. Now, part of that provision was water being provided from a rock, after they had grumbled to Moses about their thirst.
“So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!” And the Lord said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.“
Exodus 17:4-6 NKJV
Again, the connection to what Jesus was saying about water flowing out from Him, and to the rock from which water flowed to refresh the people in the wilderness, would not have been lost to the people hearing Jesus’ words.
In fact, the direct connection to what Jesus was offering, and did provide, to the provision God provided in the wilderness, would later be noted by the apostle Paul.
“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.“
I Corinthians 10:1-4 NKJV
The bold statement Jesus made on the last day of the feast, caused some people to see Him as Who He was claiming to be, but others to be offended that He would presume to be the One they had been looking for.
“Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him.“
John 7:40-43 NKJV
But, Jesus was and is Who He said He was. He is the Rock of our salvation. And, when we ask Him for His water, we receive life-giving water, the Holy Spirit of God, the Promise of the Father.
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””
Acts 1:4-5 NKJV
People strive to find ways to live longer, and, as well, look for ways to put more life in their living. But the fact is, only Jesus, only our connection to Him by way of His Holy Spirit, can bring a sense of satisfaction in our life now, and everlasting life in the life to come.
In our opening scripture we see Jesus, while speaking of Himself, as being the Good Shepherd, declares that His purpose is to bring abundant life for the sheep of His fold.
Child of God, make no mistake, there is no truly satisfying life outside of Jesus Christ. He has offered us access to life-giving water, the Holy Spirit of God. Why should we continue to seek from the things of this present world, what only He can give?
Oh, come to Him now! Ask of Him now! Be refreshed by His Spirit now! And be assured of life eternal!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]“
John 16:33 AMP
Shirley Caesar wrote a song entitled, “This Joy I Have.” It’s a song with very simple lyrics, but profoundly true lyrics, nonetheless. The message of the song is that joy that the world didn’t give, can’t be taken away by the world.
“This joy that I have
The world didn't give it to me
This joy that I have
The world didn't give it to me
This joy that I have
The world didn't give it to me
And the world can't take it away”
All around us we see trouble. Yes, the pressure imposed on us—just in the process of living from one day to the next—can drain you and rob you of any sense of joy. It’s no wonder that so many people are on anti-depressant drugs. It’s no wonder that so many people turn to drugs or alcohol to forget about the pain and turmoil raging inside. Indeed, it is no wonder that people do ridiculous things to try and garner some modicum of joy in their lives.
Yes, it’s understandable that people living in the world without Christ would be devoid of joy. But, for those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ, joy should be an ongoing state of being, no matter what we are facing.
In Psalms 46 the psalmist declares that though the world is in turmoil, the people of God can be glad. The river he references as bringing gladness to the city of God, is the same River, bringing gladness (joy) into the lives of those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.“
Psalms 46:1-4 NKJV
The prophet Isaiah expresses a similar truth: Because God is with us, helping us, we can be joyful as we partake of the wonderful salvation He provides.
“And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.“
Isaiah 12:1-3 NKJV
Through the work of Jesus Christ, we have been provided a never-ending source of salvation. And, because of that salvation, we can receive the Holy Spirit into our being Who will enable us to have the fruit of joy manifested in our lives!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.“
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
In our opening scripture, we see the Lord telling His disciples that they can be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world. Indeed, His spirit within us reminds us that we are the children of God.
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.“
Romans 8:15-17 NKJV
Child of God, the Lord has overcome the world and given us access to His precious Holy Spirit. Now that’s a joy the world didn’t give to you; and the world can’t take it away.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!