A Peace That Endures
In John chapter 16 Jesus emboldens his 12 disciples for what lies ahead; He encourages them for the days when He is gone from the earth. Remembering His gospel message in the coming days would allow them to have a peace that would endure to the end. He gives them a glimpse into their own weaknesses and how they will be able to overcome their fears and disappointments in the future. Beginning in John 16:31, “Jesus answered them, ’Do you now believe? Indeed, the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone…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.’”
Later, Paul reflects on this same truth. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages this loving group of saints: “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 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.” (Phil 4:5-7).
Obviously, the peace that is referenced by both Jesus and Paul is the inner peace, the peace possessed within the heart that actively provides liberty for one to be “anxious for nothing.” Christ does not promise His disciples that there will be no wars between nations, no conflicts among men, nor natural and unexpected tragedy if they remember His Words. The promise to them, if they believed the Words He had spoken to them, was that there will be peace for them in a world of tribulation. We live in an anxious, fearful, and unsettled world. There are physical battles and spiritual warfare that we are forced to face each day. In our world, our nations, our cities, our communities, our families, and at times our own congregations there may be tribulation and unrest. We live in a world that offers us excuses to be anxious, reasons to be unhappy victims of circumstance, rationale to be bitter, and justification to be angry and mean. We are told that the conduct of others and events we can’t control should demand our fear and our discontentment. We are constantly convinced that all is lost and that things “have never been so bad.” And yet, Jesus warns of times that will be worse – and expects there to be peace even so.
Having said that, Jesus knew that this kind of peace was not passing, or fleeting, or temporary – but was one that must endure. When I was young, I thought I had “good days and bad days.” I would tell myself that tomorrow would bring a new outlook and that trouble (much of my own making) would work itself out another day. Peace was weighed by events and could be monitored and regulated fairly easily, especially with parents, a husband, and others who loved me and could intervene and protect my peace. This is really what the disciples had when Jesus was with them. With Jesus “near” they could rely on Him to monitor and protect their hearts and minds, providing them peace and contentment in whatever might come. But, in the last months of Jesus life, He began to speak to His 12 about a maturity that they would need to establish - a belief that would provide them with enduring qualities of faith without Him physically in their presence. He spoke to them of a mature love they would have, of a required true belief, of a necessary wisdom, and of a crucial courage – that would all bring about a peace that endured, even in death.
No longer do I look at my tribulations and trials as “good days or bad days.” The older I get and the more I experience losses and disappointments, I understand that tribulations are seasonal, annual – and last a lifetime. If we dwell in losses and tribulations, that is where we will set up our tent and that is where we will tabernacle for a lifetime…because there will be enough tribulation to last to the end. If we dwell in the Words of our God, if we abide in Jesus’ Word, if we move our tent and tabernacle close to the Lord as Paul recommends, knowing The Lord is at hand, then we are “anxious for nothing.”
So, what does that peace that endures look like – what is the practical application to us? How can we know if we have peace that endures? If we lack peace, where do we turn? In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid".
So, we know it is available; He has left it behind for all who hear Him. And we understand that it is peace that is HIS peace, not peace as the world prescribes. As we have already noted, Paul describes this peace as one that surpasses all understanding - a peace that then allows us to be thankful, prayerful, faithful, hopeful, and even joyful in times, seasons, and entire lives that are filled with trials, tribulations, losses, and disappointments.
The last 10 years of my life have presented losses and disappointments that my young heart could not have anticipated. The peace that must endure and surpass all of my understanding can’t be regulated by anyone or anything on earth. If I were to allow myself to be convinced that the events and circumstances of my life should allow me to be bitter, sad, self-consumed, anxious, lazy, or angry, then I have no possession of the peace that Jesus and Paul discussed. To dwell in the words of Jesus allows a peaceful heart that continues to joyfully work, continues to be grateful to God for both good and bad, continues to shine a light that comes only through Jesus so that others may know Him, and continues to praise God in all things that may come. Jesus knew that the fate of His Apostles and many of His disciples was going to present much tribulation for them on earth. And yet He promises that even in those days they could have peace – hearts that were not troubled. Do we have that peace? It is there if we want it. "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way" (II Thessalonians 3:16).
Just one last thought. I find myself thinking of Heaven so often these days. In the last few years my in-laws, brother, mother, father, sweet 5-year-old granddaughter, and many other brave and faithful mentors and friends have left me to go there. My thoughts are full of what they might see, their new bodies, their interactions with our Lord – though I know very little of the details there. But, when I do think of Heaven, above all else, my heart becomes unburdened with the anxiety of life. Can you imagine – a place of perfect peace. Peace – no worry, no uncertainties, no lies, no tears, no conflicts. I had a dream one night, that I was in Heaven, and all truth was revealed and all death was removed, and all sin was left behind, and all tribulation disappeared. It was a fleeting dream, but I will tell you that I remember the feeling of peace that I had for those moments, and I try everyday to recall that feeling - because I believe that if we are who we should be, we can live with that peace even here on earth. A peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that endures and lives in us forever in eternity.