The Peace of God

 In our verses from Philippians 4:4-7 quoted below, we read that the “…peace of God, which passeth all understanding,..” is something which “...shall keep your [our] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

              This “…peace of God…” is not an easily defined entity.  It is knowledge that is given through the Holy Spirit.  It is something we have, yet it is like our faith, at times hard for us to put into words.

              We do know when we “…let your [our] requests be made known…” with whom we have just conversed, and this gives us the assurance and the peace that only God can give.

              At this publication, I will have spent a week incapacitated, (maybe to Sharil’s delight.)  I know in that period of time, I will have been somewhat of a physical burden to her and to others.  Yet, knowing her, she will have spent an amount of time in prayer with our Lord, (to allow her unabated,) to continue in “…the peace of God,..” 

              Facing Sharil and I this coming month are two eye surgeries for her, a “mess” of physical therapy for me, and a Revival for the Church.

              In this we must all remember, “The Lord is at hand.”  He is here with us, and it is you and I which must make our “…requests made known unto God.”

              My request to God concerning this Church is that He “Revive Us Again.”   I have talked long with the Lord concerning this year, and while reading Habakkuk, He enlightened me in Chapter 3:2.  There I found my answer from the Lord.

Habakkuk 3:2  O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

Habakkuk expressed his fear for Israel. He also expressed my fear for our Church, and for all the Bible believing Churches of America.  “O LORD, revive thy work…”  We as a Church, independent, fundamental, King James Bible, conservative music Baptists need “our work revived.” 

              If we as Christians want “…the peace of God…” we must insure it with revival.   We must insure revival not only in our hearts, but also in our Churches.  If we are not careful in our walk, as an individual and as a Church, we may find:

Revelation 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

What a crime that would be, a blasphemy against God and His Son Jesus.  Knowing “The Peace of God” will always allow us to know we have our “…first love…” always leading, always first in all our hearts, our souls, and our minds.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Philippians 4:4-7  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  (5)  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  (6)  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.