As I was reading the Bible last night, I came across the verse, “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” (Proverbs 14:13) And later, “The righteous has hope in his death.” (Proverbs 14:32b) Those verses got me into thinking. It was the second time recently where verses about sadness and death seemed to reach out to me. Maybe it was a result of the sudden death of the son of a friend of mine. It brought back to me the death of my own son.
But how do we get “that peace which passes all understanding” which is spoken of in God’s word? I did a Google check and found Philippians 4:7 was the reference I was looking for. It says, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Ultimately, it is only God that can give us the peace of mind that we seek. We may have a cup of wine, or a good meal. We may watch a television program or movie and laugh while relaxing together. I had done that, that same night. But at last, as I lay down to sleep, I was still worried about some situations in my family that seemed to be unresolved. There seemed to be some blockage holding things back.
Why is it I do not have that peace that His word speaks of? His sweet voice came to me in my conscience, “You need to pray and commit things to Me. That’s where you will find the peace.” And, so, I did. Because unless we come into the presence of God, no matter how much amusement we seek to stop us of from thinking and being anxious about the future, we will not find peace. The word amusement actually means “away from thinking, or not thinking.” Like the word atheist means “one who does not believe in God.” The word “muse” means “to think,” therefore “a - muse” means “to not think.” We have amusements to stop us from thinking, because often our thoughts are anxious thoughts. Jesus has told us not to take any anxious thought for tomorrow. But how do we do that. It is easier said than done.
We may have health problems, or financial problems. We may have problems with our children or grandchildren. How can we get rid of that heavy feeling, that worry that we feel, be it from our own lacks, or darts from the enemy? I have found the only real cure is coming into the presence of God in prayer and praise, in song and reading His word and pouring out my heart and mind to the Lord.
God has promised to give us peace which passes all understanding. But that peace can only be found if we spend time in the presence of the Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ. His word says, “Great peace have they which love Thy law and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165) We need to spend time meditating on His word. We need to spend time in prayer and thanksgiving. We need to spend time pouring out our hearts, our minds, our troubles to Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.
God says, “I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Me, because he trusts in Me.” (Isaiah 26:3 paraphrased) Jesus says, “Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy laden. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28) In other words, we shall find the peace of mind and heart when we cast our burdens unto the Lord and rest in Him. When we rest in the Lord, we know everything is going to be alright because we trust in Him.
When l found the verse about peace after writing this, the verses before and after it confirmed what I have shared. Philippians 4:6 the verse before the “peace” verse says, “Be careful (or anxious) for nothing.” In other words do not be anxious or worried. “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known unto God.” You see, we need to bring those worries to God in desperate prayer. That’s why it says “prayer and supplication.” When we do, the next verse follows. “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:8, the verse after the “peace” verse, gives us some instruction on how to maintain that peace once we have found it. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Paul goes on to say in the next verse that if we do the things which he has taught us “the God of peace shall be with you.”
Let “the peace of God which passes all understanding … keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Amen!
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