the way of peace

The Way They Walked
“The way of peace they know not,
and there is no justice in their paths;
they have made their roads crooked,
no one who goes in them knows peace (shalom).” _Isaiah 59:8

The Way We Walk
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” _Luke 1:76-79

The word peace is used in different ways in Scripture. The root idea of the word denotes prosperity and well-being such as was enjoyed during Solomon’s reign. (1 Kings 4:20, 25), an earthly state of blessedness, wholeness and right relations which will be permanently enjoyed under Messiah’s rule (Mic 4:3-4). A second use of peace is the absence of war. This kind of peace can come only after the 2nd Advent of Christ. Until that time Christ revealed that there will be wars and rumors of wars (Mt. 24:6-14). Two other uses of peace in Scripture have spiritual connotations and refer to the relationship of believers to God. The first kind of spiritual peace concerns justification of believers. Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God (Romans 5:1). This is a matter of legal status in which ALL believers have been completely exonerated and acquitted for Christ’s sake. The other kind of spiritual peace is the peace of God, which passes all understanding (Phil 4:7). This condition is one of inner tranquility amid anxiousness and trouble.

Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those
whose imaginations are consumed with you;
they confidently trust in you.
Yes, trust in the Lord Yahweh forever and ever!
For Yahweh, the Lord God, is your Rock of Ages!

Isaiah 26:3-4 The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Peace He Gives “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:27

Stay on the path

“People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days
must keep their tongues from saying evil things,
and their lips from speaking deceitful things.
They must turn away from evil and do good.
They must seek peace and pursue it.
The Lord’s eyes are on those who do what he approves.
His ears hear their prayer.
The Lord confronts those who do evil.”
_1 Peter 3:10-12 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Peace is the absence of negativity – fear, hurt, anxiety, etc. Peace is the presence of love, joy, patience, (the fruit of the Spirit).

Accept Great Peace

There is such a great peace and well-being that comes
to the lovers of your word, and they will never be offended.
_Psalm 119:165 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Great peace is always the result of love for God and His Word. True obedience to God’s Word will keep anyone from being offended. God not only demands that we live free from being offended, but that we offend no one.

Get rid of the idea that your spiritual state and condition depend on yourself. It is Christ’s responsibility to keep you where you belong. Don’t be a do-it-yourself Christian.

Guard Your Heart

Take every thought, in every circumstance, captive to Christ…
Thou dost keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee,
because he trusts in thee.
Trust in the Lord for ever,
for the Lord God
is an everlasting rock. _Isaiah 26:3-4 (RSV)

Receive the Blessing

“Now may the God who brought us peace by raising from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ so that he would be the Great Shepherd of his flock; and by the power of the blood of the eternal covenant may he work perfection into every part of you giving you all that you need to fulfill your destiny. And may he express through you all that is excellent and pleasing to him through your life-union with Jesus the Anointed One who is to receive all glory forever! Amen!”
_Hebrews 13:20-21 The Passion Translation (TPT)