Living in His Peace
All who follow God carry ‘the way of peace’ within them—His love and light—because peace works through love. Yet, beyond this, we all carry authority in our voices… in each word we speak.
For most of us, this is not a new revelation, but it is easy to forget that OUR words have power. That EVERY word is meant to glorify God. And it is easy to forget that with such great, God given power, comes a responsibility to choose our words wisely and speak as He does; being His peacemakers on earth…
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”—Matthew 5:9
It was God who made us in His image and called us children of God, yet, it is important to remember how He created. It is important to remember that HE SPOKE us into being.
He spoke.
It is as simple as that. One word from our Father and everything can change!
For when God says a thing, it is done…
“Then God said… and it was so.”—Genesis 1:11
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’ So God created man in His own image…”—Genesis 1:26-27
The Power of Words to Bless or Curse:
Because God made us in His image, gave us the blessing of ‘sonship,’ and placed the Holy Spirit within us, our words have immense power! The power to bless or curse via God’s spirit realm. Still, we reap what we sow…
“…For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”—Luke 6:38
Yet, Jesus, at the prompting of His Father, cursed a fig tree on one occasion, and spoke correction to those misusing the House of God on many others… and He obviously was not cursed for these acts.
He had a legal right and the Father’s prompting! However, times for cursing are rare and cannot be based on emotion. There has to be Holy Spirit inspiration in any the prompting to curse. Because, cursing from flesh-filled desires, particularly when cursing people—all made in the image of God—is dangerous; for God dearly loves His creation and is jealous for it.
“We use our tongue to praise God our Father and then turn around and curse a person who was made in his very image! Out of the same mouth we pour out words of praise one minute and curses the next. My brothers and sister, this should never be!”—James 3:9-10 (TPT)
We were made to daily reflect the image of God, which is love, for as 1 John 4:8 says, “…God is love.”
His love is poured out in His Word, from the very creation of the world in Genesis, to our restoration through Jesus… and we are meant to live that love. To sow blessings that open the windows of Heaven for all!
“The harvest you reap reveals the seed that was planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds… you can expect to experience a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap the beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit.”—Galatians 6:8 (TPT)
Peace through God’s Love:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”—Numbers 6:24-26
Those were the words God gave to Moses for Aaron to speak to the children of Israel. Words of God’s truth; prophesying to the dry bones so they could live!
“…I will bless them.”—Numbers 6:27 (emphasis added)
That peace is not something merely given to God’s chosen in days of old with no relevance for today. It was and is active for God’s chosen people, Israel—and those now grafted in—not only though God’s decree spoken through Aaron, but though the covenants He made and keeps. Even today!
But the greatest display of God’s love and graciousness was yet to come… when we would become the redeemed of the Lord and be grafted into His promised peace.
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
That peace was costly. For our Messiah—Jesus—had to die upon a cross, facing death and the grave to redeem us; to leave us His perfect peace and love.
That peace may have been ‘free’ for us, but when we understand the price Jesus paid for it… how can we take it for granted? How can we fail to accept that peace? Or speak it forth?
It is the highest honor to be given Godly peace…
“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 14:27
By focusing on God, trusting in Him, and speaking His words, we find perfect peace in every situation. Every moment.
We do not have to beg Him to fix things. We do not have to fall into a trap of worry and doubt. We can have Godly peace in Him, and with Him, no matter the storms which rage.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”—Matthew 7:11
Conclusion:
God lives in us; His glory resides in the Holy Spirit which fills our Temples. And, as such, the glory of God can manifest through us AND glorify God. That glory is akin to a cloak. A cloak of His presence, in which we find our Father, His rest, and peace. His perfect peace!
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace…”—Ephesians 2:13-14
Still, living in God’s peace—or not—is a choice.
When we look at our circumstances and worry, or when we see ourselves as unsuitable for God’s purposes… we are choosing to ignore God’s peace for the indulgence of listening to the lies of the enemy. We are taking a short-term view instead of an eternal view of life WITH God!
“You cannot sink as long as you are with the Lord.”—Pastor Tim Alsbaugh
Jesus overcame the grave and sits at the right hand of the Father! It is finished. We have eternal life in and through Him, and fear should not exist. Because our lives on earth and the trials we face are only a fleeting moment before our eternal lives with Him.
“We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.”—2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (TPT)
His peace, which He provides so freely, is rooted in His being love. If we live focused on that love—from the smallest grain of sand, to the rising sun, to laughter—we can face anything! We can live in a peace so deep that all we understand is the reality of who God is, and therefore, what awaits us at the end of our journey.
“So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.”—Philippians 4:8-9 (TPT)
Let us embody God’s peace, accepting His love, seeking the good, speaking it out, and giving of all He has bestowed.
Let us praise our Father by following Him, listening to the sound of His voice instead of the waves…
“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’
“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’
“So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”—Matthew 14:27-29