Day Twelve
PEACE
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
—PHILIPPIANS 4:7
The world that we currently live in is far from being peace-full. In fact, a sense of peace appears to be the one thing everyone wants, yet few possess—including believers just like you. Yet, every born-again child of God has the Prince of Peace living within them. You may not feel peaceful, but peace is not an emotion. Peace is another fruit of the Spirit. Nor is it a matter of trying to get peace. It’s already yours in Christ. It is learning how to live from what you have already received in the Holy Spirit, as He has placed the very peace of God within you.
Paul tells us that a citizen of God’s Kingdom is actually defined by righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. (See Romans 14:17.) This means that peace is actually found, experienced, and released in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives inside of you, so the very thing that nations so desperately need actually resides within you.
It is peace that causes you to stand firmly in your identity in Christ. It releases courage and stability when you are believing for answers that you have not yet seen come to pass. It keeps you grounded in the character, nature, and good plans of God. Peace is an anchor. It enables you to weather circumstances that would cause most to be shaken in their faith.
As you make the decision to walk in peace, drawing from the grace and strength of the Spirit of God within you, you will draw attention. People will take notice, both struggling believers and curious unbelievers. They will watch your walk and want to know what makes you different. You see, they have a predetermined paradigm for interacting with trouble, disappointment, problems, and struggles. Peace is only a concept to them, not a truth.
The Kingdom of God is marked by stability—a key hallmark of which is peace. If you are studying anything in a Kingdom context, you must remember that it is sure and solid, just like the King. Returning to Romans 14:17, the Kingdom of God is defined as “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” If peace and joy are key cornerstone realities in the Kingdom, it goes without saying that they are stable. Everything in the world is shakable except the unshakable Kingdom of God (see Heb. 12:28) and its corresponding culture. Peace is a defining quality of Kingdom culture. Do you desire to live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom? (You may be a citizen by identity, but are you living as one practically?) If you do, it means embracing and implementing a new perspective on peace.
So what is the key to walking in God’s peace? You need to recalibrate how you apply the promises of God in your life. I want to help you do this today.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Can someone be a citizen of God’s Kingdom but not actually live like a citizen? What does this look like?
How is peace in God’s Kingdom different from the world’s peace?
To what degree are you currently living a peace-full life?
ACTION STEPS
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
—JOHN 14:27 NIV
I want to help you approach peace from a Kingdom perspective. In order to do this, you need to see God’s promises in a new way. God’s promises are keys to keeping your soul anchored in supernatural peace. Don’t distance yourself from His promises, believing they are not available to you personally, or that you have to work hard for them, or that God is not interested in you. Those are lies. Jesus reminds us that He has already given you peace— His peace!
Have you believed any lies about God and His promises? If so, confront them now. Such deception could be preventing you from experiencing true peace in your life.