“Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.“
Isaiah 53:4-5

–

DECEMBER 19, 2024

We live in a culture of health and prosperity unprecedented in human history; yet a 2024 survey by the American Psychiatric Association found that 70% of U.S. adults are very anxious about the future, and a 2024 World Happiness report ranked Americans 23rd in the world in personal happiness.

Paul’s words to the church in Phillipi could have been written to the Church in the U.S.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7

A peace that “transcends all understanding?”

Jesus promised that His followers would encounter suffering. He sent out the disciples as sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16). Yet, when speaking of His coming death, Jesus encouraged His disciples by saying,

“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

He would also say to them,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

The is no way to avoid the hardships of this world. Money cannot purchase inner peace and no amount of toil can create it. Without Christ’s peace there will always be anxiety and dissatisfaction.

In his letters, the apostle Paul wrote to Christians who either did not know prosperity or were asked to give up much of what they had. All would be oppressed by others who rejected the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. . . Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-17

Jesus is the only way human beings, alienated from God by sin, may enjoy reconciliation and peace with their Creator (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:13-14; Colossians 1:20). And, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, they can experience a peace that is beyond their circumstances and one day will be everlasting.

Our joy is tinged with sorrow, our peace is leavened with suffering. But that’s not a mistake. That is entirely as it should be, because God never intended for us to be fully satisfied with this life. He wants us to look forward to heaven, to yearn for the day when every promise will be fulfilled, every hope realized, every struggle ended. And so all of his gifts, including His peace, are just a down payment, a foretaste of the perfect peace and joy that is to come, the peace and joy that will be ours when Christ returns. That is why we say, with the apostle John, “Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20) Yes, come quickly, Lord. Give us the grace to rest in your love during our time on this earth. (Alan Perkins)

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Do you have peace in Christ?
  • How do your circumstances conflict with that peace?
  • What can you do to receive and enjoy the peace Christ gives?

 

Church Reading Plan: Zechariah 6; John 9