Jesus Sits Beside a Man Overcome With Worryby MuzFamily
4:7Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The promise is that the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, will guard the heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Surpassing understanding means it cannot be explained or grasped by human reason, but is a soothing rest and security of perfect trust grounded in Christ's love and tender care. It follows bringing every request to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving instead of anxious care, in continual rejoicing and gentleness because the Lord is at hand. It comes only through Christ dwelling in the soul, whose grace subdues enmity and quiets strife and fills the heart with love that leaves no room for envy, suspicion, or hatred. Within, it brings rest, gladness, submission to God's will, praise and assurance of Christ's presence, with hope, gratitude, and renewed strength to soul, mind and body even in deep affliction.
Words of the Promise
The promise is that the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, guards hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. In humble daily work it is comfort and sustaining grace for those who set aside needless anxiety and faithfully do the tasks providence gives. It supports patience, courage and steadfast integrity in representing Christ's character. As divine grace opens the heart and is shared with others, this peace keeps the believer inwardly. In bringing every request to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving rather than anxiety, it steadies and protects those who trust Him.
Passing all understanding means it cannot be explained or grasped by human reason. It is a peace of perfect trust, a soothing rest and a sense of security grounded in Christ's love and tender care. Like the wind moving leaves, its working cannot be explained, yet it comes as Christ shares the burden with those who take His yoke and gives rest amid trials. It is beyond expression and hardly to be comprehended, a restfulness in taking God's rich promises to oneself, which takes away little difficulties arising between believers. Needing more of this peace is needing more of God, breathing in the Spirit of Christ and pressing upward to understand more of the breadth and depth and height of Christ's love, until God lifts the light of His countenance to give life and joy and power, filling the heart with love for Him who gave His life and sustaining through severe trials, sickness and weariness.
To keep hearts and minds is to guard, steady and protect the inner life. It holds the heart at rest under the most trying circumstances, amid trials, annoyances, confusion, continual conflict and watchfulness against an evil foe. It guards the heart from disturbance when cares are brought to Jesus and His yoke is taken instead of burdens of one's own making. It keeps the inner life from weakness, fret, suspicion, evil imagining against brethren and misreading others, when by faith the troubled believer walks through Satan's hellish shadow of unbelief and distrust and centers faith in Christ as Advocate. That guarding is also against temptation through close communion with God, with practices arranged to resist temptation and every unholy passion held under sanctified reason by abundant grace.
The peace is the peace of heaven, given by Christ alone. It is a rest and gladness given by His presence that the world can neither give nor take away, so nothing of the world can make sad those whom Jesus makes glad. It is an eternal gift that He implants and sustains in all who welcome it, to abide in the heart by faith. Because Jesus lives and His hand is guiding, the heart may constantly be filled with it, and in perfect acquiescence to Him there is perfect peace. Christ's presence bringing it is seen in a cheerful countenance, and it accompanies meekness and lowliness of heart.
After triumphing over death Jesus bestowed this peace on the disciples for their mission. It was given in a fuller and more emphatic way than when He had promised it before His death. It came with the spiritual endowment of the Holy Spirit, whose spiritual life and power equipped them to begin the work He had begun and entrusted to them. Without that endowment their witness and Christian profession would be lifeless.
Prayer Before Peace
The peace comes after every request is made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving instead of anxious care, and it then guards hearts and minds through Christ Jesus as a peace beyond human understanding. Those who trust God with every concern in prayer receive this guarding of heart and mind through Christ, with gratitude joined to the asking. Its full setting is continually rejoicing in the Lord, letting moderation and gentleness be known because the Lord is at hand, refusing over-anxious worry over suppositions and unpleasant things, and making everything known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. That rejoicing remembers tokens of love and mercy and tender compassion, trusts Jesus who stands at the helm, waits upon the Lord, casts the burden upon Him, stands fast in the Lord, and lives with moderation in view of His nearness. The same setting calls for sanctification of the heart by grace, being filled with active love, trusting the God of Israel, obeying consistently, applying great truths to little things, and submitting to God's will and way even in little things, which brings restfulness, trustfulness and continual rejoicing while time moves swiftly toward crisis and reaping.
It is kept by fixing thought only on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy, and by doing what was learned and received and heard and seen, so that the God of peace is present. This keeping turns attention away from disagreeable things, controls temper and speech at home and abroad, refuses to feed on the defects and inconsistent motives of others, beholds the good instead of evil, and lays hold upon Christ by seeking the Lord with all the heart and forgiving as God forgives. An unforgiving, judging, fault-finding spirit that dwells on others and feeds doubt loses the peace, while guarding against dissension-breeding doctrines, holding confidence firm to the end, letting no one unsettle faith, refusing confusion and strange doctrines, humbling the heart, practicing Christ's life, watching unto prayer, and seeking to overcome prepares for immortal life. Receiving the peace calls for childlike faith that asks believing it will receive because God means what He says, trusts and rests in His promise, makes every need known instead of caring anxiously, and refuses doubt when the answer is not immediately returned, since the Lord is near. Worry prevents retaining it, while God keeps the soul in peace and His keeping power calls for thanksgiving, steadying believers against doubt and temptation when answers are delayed.
Confidence rests on God's word and His ability to fulfill it, not on changing feelings or emotions, so the promise can be personally claimed by trust. Even when joy or blessing is not yet felt, believers may have peace because Christ hears and answers prayer, and God's keeping power through Jesus Christ brings rest grounded in faith in His promise. A cheerful, patient, uncomplaining life then gives a true impression of His religion, while sadness and discouragement give a false one. The peace shapes life through daily consecration for one day alone, giving self and family to God each morning, laying all plans at His feet to be carried out or given up as providence indicates, and accepting His plans instead of one's own even when pleasant and cherished projects must be abandoned. So earnest prayer and renewed consecration mold the life more and more after the divine pattern and example, with victory over self and a patient, loving, cheerful life amid daily temptations and annoyances, working each day's hours as if the last on earth.
It comes through earnest, sincere, wholehearted seeking by those who recognize their need of help and their inability to endure without Him, long for Him, and depend on Him in prayer. God strengthens such seekers, puts evil besetments under control, fills the mind with sweet heavenly peace as the Spirit works within, and gives renewal through prayer for a clean heart and reformation. It comes through presenting supplications and raising happy, grateful praise in unhurried seasons kept as the most precious, sacred and happiest hour of the day, never neglected for guests nor put off until all are too weary, with a refining and elevating influence on all who share. It is received and kept as a living, abiding principle that puts away fault-finding and complaint by seeking God for oneself in earnest private prayer and communion, as in Christ's solitary early-morning prayer, giving strength from God alone to receive His richest blessing, carry it away, shine as a light in darkness, and impart His life-giving words in winning souls, joined with watchfulness and careful speech.
Christ Who Gives Peace
The peace comes only through Christ and when Christ dwells within, for His grace alone subdues enmity, quiets strife, and fills the soul with love. One at peace with God and with others has no room left for envy, evil suspicion, or hatred. It belongs to a mind made clear, a temper made sweet, and love made abounding, turning life toward hope, faith, and courage rather than unbelief, and it refreshes the soul with brightness from Christ. Truth brings this peace beyond human understanding, while falsehood cannot give genuine peace.
Jesus Himself lived in peace amid conflict through unbroken communion with the Father. That rest is shared by those who learn His meekness, take up service for God's glory and the good of others, and receive Him with Heaven-born humility. It is given only to the meek and lowly of heart, as the humble publican was justified rather than the self-righteous Pharisee, and without such humility none can enter heaven. It is received by daily learning of Christ, in whom there is an unfailing supply of grace, by eating the bread of heaven and drinking the water of life, by prayerfully studying the Saviour's words to grow strong in His strength, by making Scripture the counselor, and by worshiping God and not man, so that His meekness and lowliness brought into daily life gives fitness for service.
The peace is experienced when God's pardoning love is revealed to the heart, bringing peace and joy within even when darkness and trouble surround, with submission to His will and with praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. It comes with the assurance that sins are forgiven and pardoned. It belongs to a clean record, gained by setting the heart in order and drawing near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith, by confessing faults to one another, by forgiving every trespass from the heart, and by letting all enmity, dissension, and bitterness die while kindness and brotherly and sisterly affection are revived, which makes the new beginning happy. With it come love for God, joy in serving Him, the sense of Christ dwelling within, and a heart drawn to meditation and prayer.
It comes through true belief that unites the believer to Christ as a branch is joined to a living vine. It is given in abiding in Christ with Christ abiding within, while looking to His throne with penitence, praise, and thanksgiving. That looking is to His throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ. It is kept by constantly meditating on Christ and His attractive loveliness, directing the mind to Jesus and fastening it upon Him, and dwelling in every discourse on the divine attributes.
In that abiding, mercy and truth meet together and righteousness and peace embrace each other. The peace thus perfects Christian character and enables believers to reflect Christ and represent Him to the world. The glory of the law is Christ, who came to magnify the law and make it honorable.
Coming to Christ and resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him gives rest to the weary, for Christ Himself as a shelter in a weary land fills the heart with God's peace beyond understanding. Taking His yoke and letting Him share the burden gives rest amid trials, a peace that cannot be explained, just as the wind moving leaves cannot be explained. Bringing cares to Jesus instead of carrying burdens of one's own making keeps His peace guarding the heart from disturbance. Even the Commander of heaven grew tired as a man grows tired, so His followers will often be tired and must not complain, faint, or be discouraged, but will find His restfulness and peace beyond human comprehension in Him. In perfect acquiescence to Him there is perfect peace and gladness by His presence that the world can neither give nor take away, so nothing of the world can make sad those whom Jesus makes glad, with serenity and cheerfulness even in deep affliction and strength from God amid many temptations.
The peace fills the heart when a person has received the Holy Spirit's testimony, taken hold of divine power, and made peace with God. The heart may be a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and Christ's grace can transform the life and prepare it for heaven. It is kept by watching and praying, seeking wisdom to turn from evil, learning from Christ to keep the soul in harmony with Him, and remaining open to more of the Holy Spirit with gratitude and praise, which brings friendship with God and forms true Christians.
What Peace Does Within
Within, the peace brings rest and gladness with submission to the divine will, and fills the soul with praise, thanksgiving and adoration. When the burden of anguish is lifted and pardoning love is revealed to the heart, the heart rests in divine love with happiness and assurance of Christ's presence, which draws to meditation and prayer. Even when darkness and trouble surround, crying to the Lord brings peace and joy within through Jesus Christ, with sacred joy and healing for sorrow where Christ dwells. It comes with love for God and assurance that sins are pardoned, a deep peace beyond understanding that fills the heart with quiet meditation and prayer.
It fills the soul with hope, gratitude, and renewed strength to soul, mind and body. It can give serenity and cheerfulness in deep affliction, sustain the spirit amid many temptations, and bring strength that comes from God. It belongs among the instructions meant to give hope and courage and to strengthen faith and confidence in God, as believers stand against spiritual evil and learn to serve God rather than rely on themselves. A calm, hopeful serenity remains visible under trial and affliction, while rejecting the truth's restraining influence and giving way to lustful desires replaces that peace with a carnal impress; in the heart it gives cheerfulness and happiness without frivolity, with a serenity that lifts above needless worldly things in watchfulness and prayer, sustaining courage and cheerfulness.
It strengthens the nerves and brain, and is especially needed by one who is easily disturbed, enabling such a person to find comfort and bring comfort to others through wholehearted service to God. It gives spiritual health and power so the enemy does not overcome, making believers more than conquerors through Christ's all-sufficiency, grace and love as they cooperate with divine agency. That victory comes as they speak faith, hope and courage instead of the adversary's power and devices, look steadfastly to Jesus to increase in faith and take the divine likeness, and fix thought on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.
It keeps the heart tender, kind, gentle, courteous, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, making its receiver a peacemaker toward believers and unbelievers, the opposite of harshness, unfeeling criticism, and stoical superiority. It is given to all who see their real need and ask God in faith, looking to Jesus and not to self. Within a person it removes the growth of selfishness, vanity, pride, and idleness, shaping a blameless life and beautiful character in a life joined to Christ and engaged in faithful service.
When it rules in the heart it is revealed in Christlike words and deeds, including praise and thanksgiving, and a heart ruled by Jesus brings forth life-giving words. Welcomed freely as beyond human understanding, it brings peace and joy and restrains words that would fail to soften or uplift others. It takes away little difficulties arising between believers, a restfulness in following the rich promises that can hardly be comprehended, and keeping that peace while working out the plan of salvation gives an abiding Christ. When a person is united with God and connected with fellow believers it passes all understanding and replaces gloom and unhappiness with unity.
In harmony with God the heart shares the peace of heaven and spreads it to others, bringing calm to those worn down by worldly conflict. It fills the heart when the mind is clear, the temper sweet, and love abounding, accompanying a life turned toward hope, faith, and courage rather than unbelief, and refreshing the soul. When the divine ideal shapes character in this way, the peace that surpasses knowledge flows forth and blesses everyone met, so that presence becomes refreshing. Resting in God through practical communion brings this peace and rest to fit believers to minister as they should, adding persuasiveness to words, shining forth from the countenance, giving persuasive power of influence through grace, and imparting moral elevation.
Where it reigns, the lamp of life shines into the heart with clear and steady ray, instantly dispelling darkness and dethroning every idol. It does not come from vesting faith in any man, even one exalted and praised as almost infallible, but from needing Christ's righteousness and having Jesus ever by the side as the Rock, conquering by His might and being saved by His righteousness. Where this peace reigns, precious truth is seen, appreciated, and obeyed, the standard is elevated, and many rally round it.
How Peace Is Received
Peace beyond human understanding is sought through complete, unreserved surrender, taking Jesus fully into the heart and living in Christ rather than separated from Him. When young hearts yielded in humble, penitential prayer, that peace rested upon all present, coming with submission.
It comes by trusting Jesus who stands at the helm, waiting on the Lord, casting the burden on Him, and refusing over-anxious worriment over suppositions and unpleasant things. Resting confidently in divine love even amid difficult circumstances brings deep and tranquil joy, with faith that quiets worry through infinite power. When anxiety is put away and the keeping of the soul is committed to God, His peace flows into mind and heart and abides, and light arises out of darkness. It follows rejoicing always, remembering tokens of love and mercy and tender compassion, letting moderation be known because the Lord is at hand, and making every request known by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, then fixing thought on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.
Taking hold of divine strength brings this peace even in discouragement and near despair to all who see their real need and ask in faith, looking to Jesus and not to self. As believers behold divine love in Christ, He is a refuge in sickness, adversity and bereavement whose pitying heart shares their sorrows, and as the Savior who takes away sins and gives His own righteousness He brings heaven near. That gift fills the soul and keeps the heart tender, kind, gentle, courteous, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, making its receiver a peacemaker toward believers and unbelievers, the opposite of harshness, unfeeling criticism and stoical superiority.
It accompanies divine grace opening the heart, sharing that grace with others, and continual growth in character through practical obedience to the law. It can be enjoyed in a close walk with Jesus even amid conflict and suffering, at the cost of battles against the powers of darkness, selfishness and inward sin, where persevering effort in doing good brings daily victories through Christ. Following Christ's example in daily life brings it into religious experience, with a life that does not seek human praise or honor and says and does nothing that diminishes others' view of Christ, who died to save His enemies.
It belongs to those who aim to glorify God rather than live for gratification, lifting thoughts and words above frivolous attractions. Faithful service for Christ brings it as a reward in this life even amid human weakness, sustaining those who serve with self-denial and love. Serving Christ by seeking the salvation of others brings an experience of it that enlarges the heart. For those faithful in self-denying, active, disinterested service to advance the cause in new fields, working for love of Jesus and precious souls with a pure, divinely inwrought purpose to glorify Him, trusting His sustaining presence as light and life and offering talent as a consecrated gift despite weakness, it will be the reward in this life, with help, strength and blessing making the weak strong to enjoy His commendation and the joy of the Lord as strength, leading in the future life to entering into the joy of the Lord.
It is kept when the mind is stored with peace, righteousness and grace, through rejoicing always, letting gentleness be known, remembering the Lord is near, refusing anxiety, and making every need known by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. It is kept by turning attention away from disagreeable things, controlling temper and speech at home and abroad, refusing to feed on the defects of others, and fixing thought on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Feeding the mind on criticism harms spiritual health and growth, while dwelling on what is good and spiritually nourishing sustains healthy spiritual life. This sweet and precious peace beyond knowledge follows work that God can approve and bless, replacing the discouragement that comes from yielding to temptations to dwell on others' faults and to write or speak from personal trials. It is to be in the heart as a living, abiding principle that puts away fault-finding and complaint, received and kept by seeking God for oneself in earnest private prayer and communion, as Christ prayed alone in a retired place in the early morning, giving strength from God alone to receive His richest blessing, to carry it away, to shine as a light in a dark place, and to impart Christ's words, which are spirit and life, in winning souls.
It means guarding against doctrines that lead to dissension and strife, holding the beginning of confidence firm to the end, letting no one unsettle faith, and refusing confusion and strange doctrines that lead souls from the true faith. It means humbling the heart before God, practicing the life of Christ, watching unto prayer and guarding the spirit, seeking to overcome and not acting as the evil one desires, in preparing for future immortal life, when requests are made known with carefulness for nothing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, when only what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy is thought on, and when the things learned and received and heard and seen are done so the God of peace is present.
Tested faith that perseveres through distress gains stronger faith, when the cloud of perplexity drives earnest effort and then light is revealed to fill the soul with this peace. It comes into the heart after earnest wrestling prayer in which the burden of solemn work is given to Jesus and His presence is sought above all else. It is found only in Christ when a person stops looking at infirmities, perplexities and trials that threaten to overwhelm and looks to Jesus as the only Helper, obeying the command to go and do His will one step at a time in faith and simplicity without seeing far ahead or understanding the future result. That peace brings quietude and rest, assurance that the everlasting arms are around, and a solemn sense of matchless love.
It comes into the heart by learning of Christ, in whom there is an unfailing supply of grace, by daily eating the bread of heaven and drinking the water of life, and by carefully and prayerfully studying the Saviour's words to grow strong in His strength. It involves making the Scriptures the counselor and worshiping God, not man. Bringing His meekness and lowliness into daily life makes experience of value and gives preparedness for service, with Christ Himself the hope and crown of rejoicing. Kept in the heart through personal religion, living close to Jesus, consulting Him in all things and trusting Him with childlike simplicity, it gives skill to remedy soul as well as body and to deal wisely with diseased and ill-balanced minds, so peace in the heart passes imperceptibly to those who need the soothing power of pure truth opened wisely in small portions to their understanding.
Peace in Trials and Service
In humble daily work the peace of God which surpasses understanding guards hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, giving comfort and sustaining grace to those who set aside needless anxiety and faithfully do the tasks providence assigns, including provision for the unemployed and homeless. For those who represent Christ's character as canvassers it upholds patience, courage and steadfast integrity, and faith in God enables rejoicing even amid trials and persecution while working in Christ's spirit to win others to the truth. That peace can remain amid confusion and uncertainty when the way ahead is not made plain and rest is found in Jesus, amid repeated baseless accusations by reflecting on Christ's suffering under false charges and leaving the matter and its results with the Lord, and amid continual conflict requiring watchfulness against evil.
In pain, sickness and weariness it accompanies trust in Jesus to care for the suffering body with real assurance of His compassion and help in every need, keeping the heart grateful and faithful through suffering, bringing comfort and relief as a felt though unseen presence, and coming in answer to prayer with such gladness and happiness that sleep is driven away by joy and strength is given to go on to the next place of duty rather than turn back. It keeps in good courage even one with heart trouble that sends blood rushing to the head, as the whole being is given to God's cause with a heart wholly His and food and drink found in doing His will. It fills sufferers whose minds are fixed on Christ the mighty Healer with spiritual health and comfort, it can come instantly after earnest prayer with complete relief of the brain in great distress, and it calls the sick to preserve self-control, take comfort in God's care, look away from self to Jesus, trust the Redeemer simply, submit to the care of others, and remain hopeful in God.
Kept in the heart through personal religion by living close to Jesus, consulting Him in all things and trusting Him with childlike simplicity, it gives skill to remedy the soul as well as the body and to deal wisely with diseased and ill-balanced minds, so that peace passes imperceptibly to those who need the soothing power of pure truth opened wisely in small portions to their understanding. In home and school it guards hearts and minds when parents gather children morning and evening in humble prayer for help, receive constant help to gain victory over self and live patient, loving, cheerful lives amid daily temptations and annoyances, consecrate themselves and their children to God for that single day without calculating for months or years, work its hours as if the last on earth, lay all plans before God to be carried out or given up as providence indicates, and accept His plans instead of their own even when cherished projects must be abandoned. When teachers receive Christ as an abiding Guest they have this peace to impart by words, attitude and example, for His communion with God remained calm even amid human or satanic wrath; it is desired for the recovering sick with trust, love and whole surrender to God, children are urged to receive and cherish it through faith with God's love dwelling within, and it comes to a household after prayer when a wanderer returns to God with tears, confession and reconciliation.
In mission it keeps the heart and mind of those sowing the seeds of truth, with His righteousness going before them, heavenly angels ministering to them and the Lord's glory as rear guard. Resting in God through practical communion brings the rest that fits believers to minister as they should, adds persuasiveness to words and influence through grace, shines forth from the countenance when His peace is in the heart, and imparts moral elevation; it is the daily reward of following on to know Him by faith, as God directs and guards the steps while sanctifying and elevating the powers. It is a truth to share with people as part of the message of God's love, and those who love pure truth, are freed from worldliness and self-exaltation, and are united possess even now a peace and quiet rest beyond understanding that impresses unbelievers by purity, humility and meekness and foretastes the exceeding great future reward in heaven, though the full reward may not come in this life.
It guards heart and mind through Christ against temptation by close communion with God, by practices arranged to resist temptation, and by every unholy passion held under sanctified reason through abundant grace; trusting the Lord and ceasing worry and strain are necessary to receive and rule by it, lest continued strain bring serious harm and undermine health and work. It is invoked as blessing and charge that it abide in the heart with cheerfulness and continual praise, to look up today, tomorrow and ever, to be of good courage and happy with nothing between the soul and the Saviour, and to keep heart and mind in simplicity in full dependence on God; prayer and entrusting matters to Jesus bring this peace and assurance in seeking duty, those who bring burdens with working faith find relief in perplexity as it guards them, every perplexity taken in prayer is met by a God who takes in the whole situation with the Holy Spirit's influence to be received, and those who bring everything to Jesus in earnest trusting prayer rather than worry receive wisdom with confidence that He will do His part. Assurance that God hears prayer brings cheerfulness in tribulation that lifts above despondency by quickening power, dispels gloom from the troubled mind as the Sun of Righteousness shines in, keeps the heart at rest under the most trying circumstances with victory so right triumphs over wrong, lifts the light of His countenance to give life and joy and power with love for Him who gave His life, sustains through severe trials, sickness and weariness, and brings revival with renewed strength and precious evidence of peace while seeking Him; needing more of it is needing more of God, breathing in Christ's Spirit and pressing upward to grasp more of the breadth and depth and height of His love. It is better than worldly pleasures and riches, sought and found in the gospel, surpassing understanding and knowledge as the daily reward of following on to know God by faith.
The promise is that the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, will guard the heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Surpassing understanding means it cannot be explained or grasped by human reason, but is a soothing rest and security of perfect trust grounded in Christ's love and tender care. It follows bringing every request to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving instead of anxious care, in continual rejoicing and gentleness because the Lord is at hand. It comes only through Christ dwelling in the soul, whose grace subdues enmity and quiets strife and fills the heart with love that leaves no room for envy, suspicion, or hatred. Within, it brings rest, gladness, submission to God's will, praise and assurance of Christ's presence, with hope, gratitude, and renewed strength to soul, mind and body even in deep affliction.
Words of the Promise
The promise is that the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, guards hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. In humble daily work it is comfort and sustaining grace for those who set aside needless anxiety and faithfully do the tasks providence gives. It supports patience, courage and steadfast integrity in representing Christ's character. As divine grace opens the heart and is shared with others, this peace keeps the believer inwardly. In bringing every request to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving rather than anxiety, it steadies and protects those who trust Him.
Passing all understanding means it cannot be explained or grasped by human reason. It is a peace of perfect trust, a soothing rest and a sense of security grounded in Christ's love and tender care. Like the wind moving leaves, its working cannot be explained, yet it comes as Christ shares the burden with those who take His yoke and gives rest amid trials. It is beyond expression and hardly to be comprehended, a restfulness in taking God's rich promises to oneself, which takes away little difficulties arising between believers. Needing more of this peace is needing more of God, breathing in the Spirit of Christ and pressing upward to understand more of the breadth and depth and height of Christ's love, until God lifts the light of His countenance to give life and joy and power, filling the heart with love for Him who gave His life and sustaining through severe trials, sickness and weariness.
To keep hearts and minds is to guard, steady and protect the inner life. It holds the heart at rest under the most trying circumstances, amid trials, annoyances, confusion, continual conflict and watchfulness against an evil foe. It guards the heart from disturbance when cares are brought to Jesus and His yoke is taken instead of burdens of one's own making. It keeps the inner life from weakness, fret, suspicion, evil imagining against brethren and misreading others, when by faith the troubled believer walks through Satan's hellish shadow of unbelief and distrust and centers faith in Christ as Advocate. That guarding is also against temptation through close communion with God, with practices arranged to resist temptation and every unholy passion held under sanctified reason by abundant grace.
The peace is the peace of heaven, given by Christ alone. It is a rest and gladness given by His presence that the world can neither give nor take away, so nothing of the world can make sad those whom Jesus makes glad. It is an eternal gift that He implants and sustains in all who welcome it, to abide in the heart by faith. Because Jesus lives and His hand is guiding, the heart may constantly be filled with it, and in perfect acquiescence to Him there is perfect peace. Christ's presence bringing it is seen in a cheerful countenance, and it accompanies meekness and lowliness of heart.
After triumphing over death Jesus bestowed this peace on the disciples for their mission. It was given in a fuller and more emphatic way than when He had promised it before His death. It came with the spiritual endowment of the Holy Spirit, whose spiritual life and power equipped them to begin the work He had begun and entrusted to them. Without that endowment their witness and Christian profession would be lifeless.
Prayer Before Peace
The peace comes after every request is made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving instead of anxious care, and it then guards hearts and minds through Christ Jesus as a peace beyond human understanding. Those who trust God with every concern in prayer receive this guarding of heart and mind through Christ, with gratitude joined to the asking. Its full setting is continually rejoicing in the Lord, letting moderation and gentleness be known because the Lord is at hand, refusing over-anxious worry over suppositions and unpleasant things, and making everything known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. That rejoicing remembers tokens of love and mercy and tender compassion, trusts Jesus who stands at the helm, waits upon the Lord, casts the burden upon Him, stands fast in the Lord, and lives with moderation in view of His nearness. The same setting calls for sanctification of the heart by grace, being filled with active love, trusting the God of Israel, obeying consistently, applying great truths to little things, and submitting to God's will and way even in little things, which brings restfulness, trustfulness and continual rejoicing while time moves swiftly toward crisis and reaping.
It is kept by fixing thought only on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy, and by doing what was learned and received and heard and seen, so that the God of peace is present. This keeping turns attention away from disagreeable things, controls temper and speech at home and abroad, refuses to feed on the defects and inconsistent motives of others, beholds the good instead of evil, and lays hold upon Christ by seeking the Lord with all the heart and forgiving as God forgives. An unforgiving, judging, fault-finding spirit that dwells on others and feeds doubt loses the peace, while guarding against dissension-breeding doctrines, holding confidence firm to the end, letting no one unsettle faith, refusing confusion and strange doctrines, humbling the heart, practicing Christ's life, watching unto prayer, and seeking to overcome prepares for immortal life. Receiving the peace calls for childlike faith that asks believing it will receive because God means what He says, trusts and rests in His promise, makes every need known instead of caring anxiously, and refuses doubt when the answer is not immediately returned, since the Lord is near. Worry prevents retaining it, while God keeps the soul in peace and His keeping power calls for thanksgiving, steadying believers against doubt and temptation when answers are delayed.
Confidence rests on God's word and His ability to fulfill it, not on changing feelings or emotions, so the promise can be personally claimed by trust. Even when joy or blessing is not yet felt, believers may have peace because Christ hears and answers prayer, and God's keeping power through Jesus Christ brings rest grounded in faith in His promise. A cheerful, patient, uncomplaining life then gives a true impression of His religion, while sadness and discouragement give a false one. The peace shapes life through daily consecration for one day alone, giving self and family to God each morning, laying all plans at His feet to be carried out or given up as providence indicates, and accepting His plans instead of one's own even when pleasant and cherished projects must be abandoned. So earnest prayer and renewed consecration mold the life more and more after the divine pattern and example, with victory over self and a patient, loving, cheerful life amid daily temptations and annoyances, working each day's hours as if the last on earth.
It comes through earnest, sincere, wholehearted seeking by those who recognize their need of help and their inability to endure without Him, long for Him, and depend on Him in prayer. God strengthens such seekers, puts evil besetments under control, fills the mind with sweet heavenly peace as the Spirit works within, and gives renewal through prayer for a clean heart and reformation. It comes through presenting supplications and raising happy, grateful praise in unhurried seasons kept as the most precious, sacred and happiest hour of the day, never neglected for guests nor put off until all are too weary, with a refining and elevating influence on all who share. It is received and kept as a living, abiding principle that puts away fault-finding and complaint by seeking God for oneself in earnest private prayer and communion, as in Christ's solitary early-morning prayer, giving strength from God alone to receive His richest blessing, carry it away, shine as a light in darkness, and impart His life-giving words in winning souls, joined with watchfulness and careful speech.
Christ Who Gives Peace
The peace comes only through Christ and when Christ dwells within, for His grace alone subdues enmity, quiets strife, and fills the soul with love. One at peace with God and with others has no room left for envy, evil suspicion, or hatred. It belongs to a mind made clear, a temper made sweet, and love made abounding, turning life toward hope, faith, and courage rather than unbelief, and it refreshes the soul with brightness from Christ. Truth brings this peace beyond human understanding, while falsehood cannot give genuine peace.
Jesus Himself lived in peace amid conflict through unbroken communion with the Father. That rest is shared by those who learn His meekness, take up service for God's glory and the good of others, and receive Him with Heaven-born humility. It is given only to the meek and lowly of heart, as the humble publican was justified rather than the self-righteous Pharisee, and without such humility none can enter heaven. It is received by daily learning of Christ, in whom there is an unfailing supply of grace, by eating the bread of heaven and drinking the water of life, by prayerfully studying the Saviour's words to grow strong in His strength, by making Scripture the counselor, and by worshiping God and not man, so that His meekness and lowliness brought into daily life gives fitness for service.
The peace is experienced when God's pardoning love is revealed to the heart, bringing peace and joy within even when darkness and trouble surround, with submission to His will and with praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. It comes with the assurance that sins are forgiven and pardoned. It belongs to a clean record, gained by setting the heart in order and drawing near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith, by confessing faults to one another, by forgiving every trespass from the heart, and by letting all enmity, dissension, and bitterness die while kindness and brotherly and sisterly affection are revived, which makes the new beginning happy. With it come love for God, joy in serving Him, the sense of Christ dwelling within, and a heart drawn to meditation and prayer.
It comes through true belief that unites the believer to Christ as a branch is joined to a living vine. It is given in abiding in Christ with Christ abiding within, while looking to His throne with penitence, praise, and thanksgiving. That looking is to His throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ. It is kept by constantly meditating on Christ and His attractive loveliness, directing the mind to Jesus and fastening it upon Him, and dwelling in every discourse on the divine attributes.
In that abiding, mercy and truth meet together and righteousness and peace embrace each other. The peace thus perfects Christian character and enables believers to reflect Christ and represent Him to the world. The glory of the law is Christ, who came to magnify the law and make it honorable.
Coming to Christ and resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him gives rest to the weary, for Christ Himself as a shelter in a weary land fills the heart with God's peace beyond understanding. Taking His yoke and letting Him share the burden gives rest amid trials, a peace that cannot be explained, just as the wind moving leaves cannot be explained. Bringing cares to Jesus instead of carrying burdens of one's own making keeps His peace guarding the heart from disturbance. Even the Commander of heaven grew tired as a man grows tired, so His followers will often be tired and must not complain, faint, or be discouraged, but will find His restfulness and peace beyond human comprehension in Him. In perfect acquiescence to Him there is perfect peace and gladness by His presence that the world can neither give nor take away, so nothing of the world can make sad those whom Jesus makes glad, with serenity and cheerfulness even in deep affliction and strength from God amid many temptations.
The peace fills the heart when a person has received the Holy Spirit's testimony, taken hold of divine power, and made peace with God. The heart may be a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and Christ's grace can transform the life and prepare it for heaven. It is kept by watching and praying, seeking wisdom to turn from evil, learning from Christ to keep the soul in harmony with Him, and remaining open to more of the Holy Spirit with gratitude and praise, which brings friendship with God and forms true Christians.
What Peace Does Within
Within, the peace brings rest and gladness with submission to the divine will, and fills the soul with praise, thanksgiving and adoration. When the burden of anguish is lifted and pardoning love is revealed to the heart, the heart rests in divine love with happiness and assurance of Christ's presence, which draws to meditation and prayer. Even when darkness and trouble surround, crying to the Lord brings peace and joy within through Jesus Christ, with sacred joy and healing for sorrow where Christ dwells. It comes with love for God and assurance that sins are pardoned, a deep peace beyond understanding that fills the heart with quiet meditation and prayer.
It fills the soul with hope, gratitude, and renewed strength to soul, mind and body. It can give serenity and cheerfulness in deep affliction, sustain the spirit amid many temptations, and bring strength that comes from God. It belongs among the instructions meant to give hope and courage and to strengthen faith and confidence in God, as believers stand against spiritual evil and learn to serve God rather than rely on themselves. A calm, hopeful serenity remains visible under trial and affliction, while rejecting the truth's restraining influence and giving way to lustful desires replaces that peace with a carnal impress; in the heart it gives cheerfulness and happiness without frivolity, with a serenity that lifts above needless worldly things in watchfulness and prayer, sustaining courage and cheerfulness.
It strengthens the nerves and brain, and is especially needed by one who is easily disturbed, enabling such a person to find comfort and bring comfort to others through wholehearted service to God. It gives spiritual health and power so the enemy does not overcome, making believers more than conquerors through Christ's all-sufficiency, grace and love as they cooperate with divine agency. That victory comes as they speak faith, hope and courage instead of the adversary's power and devices, look steadfastly to Jesus to increase in faith and take the divine likeness, and fix thought on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.
It keeps the heart tender, kind, gentle, courteous, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, making its receiver a peacemaker toward believers and unbelievers, the opposite of harshness, unfeeling criticism, and stoical superiority. It is given to all who see their real need and ask God in faith, looking to Jesus and not to self. Within a person it removes the growth of selfishness, vanity, pride, and idleness, shaping a blameless life and beautiful character in a life joined to Christ and engaged in faithful service.
When it rules in the heart it is revealed in Christlike words and deeds, including praise and thanksgiving, and a heart ruled by Jesus brings forth life-giving words. Welcomed freely as beyond human understanding, it brings peace and joy and restrains words that would fail to soften or uplift others. It takes away little difficulties arising between believers, a restfulness in following the rich promises that can hardly be comprehended, and keeping that peace while working out the plan of salvation gives an abiding Christ. When a person is united with God and connected with fellow believers it passes all understanding and replaces gloom and unhappiness with unity.
In harmony with God the heart shares the peace of heaven and spreads it to others, bringing calm to those worn down by worldly conflict. It fills the heart when the mind is clear, the temper sweet, and love abounding, accompanying a life turned toward hope, faith, and courage rather than unbelief, and refreshing the soul. When the divine ideal shapes character in this way, the peace that surpasses knowledge flows forth and blesses everyone met, so that presence becomes refreshing. Resting in God through practical communion brings this peace and rest to fit believers to minister as they should, adding persuasiveness to words, shining forth from the countenance, giving persuasive power of influence through grace, and imparting moral elevation.
Where it reigns, the lamp of life shines into the heart with clear and steady ray, instantly dispelling darkness and dethroning every idol. It does not come from vesting faith in any man, even one exalted and praised as almost infallible, but from needing Christ's righteousness and having Jesus ever by the side as the Rock, conquering by His might and being saved by His righteousness. Where this peace reigns, precious truth is seen, appreciated, and obeyed, the standard is elevated, and many rally round it.
How Peace Is Received
Peace beyond human understanding is sought through complete, unreserved surrender, taking Jesus fully into the heart and living in Christ rather than separated from Him. When young hearts yielded in humble, penitential prayer, that peace rested upon all present, coming with submission.
It comes by trusting Jesus who stands at the helm, waiting on the Lord, casting the burden on Him, and refusing over-anxious worriment over suppositions and unpleasant things. Resting confidently in divine love even amid difficult circumstances brings deep and tranquil joy, with faith that quiets worry through infinite power. When anxiety is put away and the keeping of the soul is committed to God, His peace flows into mind and heart and abides, and light arises out of darkness. It follows rejoicing always, remembering tokens of love and mercy and tender compassion, letting moderation be known because the Lord is at hand, and making every request known by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, then fixing thought on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report.
Taking hold of divine strength brings this peace even in discouragement and near despair to all who see their real need and ask in faith, looking to Jesus and not to self. As believers behold divine love in Christ, He is a refuge in sickness, adversity and bereavement whose pitying heart shares their sorrows, and as the Savior who takes away sins and gives His own righteousness He brings heaven near. That gift fills the soul and keeps the heart tender, kind, gentle, courteous, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, making its receiver a peacemaker toward believers and unbelievers, the opposite of harshness, unfeeling criticism and stoical superiority.
It accompanies divine grace opening the heart, sharing that grace with others, and continual growth in character through practical obedience to the law. It can be enjoyed in a close walk with Jesus even amid conflict and suffering, at the cost of battles against the powers of darkness, selfishness and inward sin, where persevering effort in doing good brings daily victories through Christ. Following Christ's example in daily life brings it into religious experience, with a life that does not seek human praise or honor and says and does nothing that diminishes others' view of Christ, who died to save His enemies.
It belongs to those who aim to glorify God rather than live for gratification, lifting thoughts and words above frivolous attractions. Faithful service for Christ brings it as a reward in this life even amid human weakness, sustaining those who serve with self-denial and love. Serving Christ by seeking the salvation of others brings an experience of it that enlarges the heart. For those faithful in self-denying, active, disinterested service to advance the cause in new fields, working for love of Jesus and precious souls with a pure, divinely inwrought purpose to glorify Him, trusting His sustaining presence as light and life and offering talent as a consecrated gift despite weakness, it will be the reward in this life, with help, strength and blessing making the weak strong to enjoy His commendation and the joy of the Lord as strength, leading in the future life to entering into the joy of the Lord.
It is kept when the mind is stored with peace, righteousness and grace, through rejoicing always, letting gentleness be known, remembering the Lord is near, refusing anxiety, and making every need known by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. It is kept by turning attention away from disagreeable things, controlling temper and speech at home and abroad, refusing to feed on the defects of others, and fixing thought on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Feeding the mind on criticism harms spiritual health and growth, while dwelling on what is good and spiritually nourishing sustains healthy spiritual life. This sweet and precious peace beyond knowledge follows work that God can approve and bless, replacing the discouragement that comes from yielding to temptations to dwell on others' faults and to write or speak from personal trials. It is to be in the heart as a living, abiding principle that puts away fault-finding and complaint, received and kept by seeking God for oneself in earnest private prayer and communion, as Christ prayed alone in a retired place in the early morning, giving strength from God alone to receive His richest blessing, to carry it away, to shine as a light in a dark place, and to impart Christ's words, which are spirit and life, in winning souls.
It means guarding against doctrines that lead to dissension and strife, holding the beginning of confidence firm to the end, letting no one unsettle faith, and refusing confusion and strange doctrines that lead souls from the true faith. It means humbling the heart before God, practicing the life of Christ, watching unto prayer and guarding the spirit, seeking to overcome and not acting as the evil one desires, in preparing for future immortal life, when requests are made known with carefulness for nothing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, when only what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy is thought on, and when the things learned and received and heard and seen are done so the God of peace is present.
Tested faith that perseveres through distress gains stronger faith, when the cloud of perplexity drives earnest effort and then light is revealed to fill the soul with this peace. It comes into the heart after earnest wrestling prayer in which the burden of solemn work is given to Jesus and His presence is sought above all else. It is found only in Christ when a person stops looking at infirmities, perplexities and trials that threaten to overwhelm and looks to Jesus as the only Helper, obeying the command to go and do His will one step at a time in faith and simplicity without seeing far ahead or understanding the future result. That peace brings quietude and rest, assurance that the everlasting arms are around, and a solemn sense of matchless love.
It comes into the heart by learning of Christ, in whom there is an unfailing supply of grace, by daily eating the bread of heaven and drinking the water of life, and by carefully and prayerfully studying the Saviour's words to grow strong in His strength. It involves making the Scriptures the counselor and worshiping God, not man. Bringing His meekness and lowliness into daily life makes experience of value and gives preparedness for service, with Christ Himself the hope and crown of rejoicing. Kept in the heart through personal religion, living close to Jesus, consulting Him in all things and trusting Him with childlike simplicity, it gives skill to remedy soul as well as body and to deal wisely with diseased and ill-balanced minds, so peace in the heart passes imperceptibly to those who need the soothing power of pure truth opened wisely in small portions to their understanding.
Peace in Trials and Service
In humble daily work the peace of God which surpasses understanding guards hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, giving comfort and sustaining grace to those who set aside needless anxiety and faithfully do the tasks providence assigns, including provision for the unemployed and homeless. For those who represent Christ's character as canvassers it upholds patience, courage and steadfast integrity, and faith in God enables rejoicing even amid trials and persecution while working in Christ's spirit to win others to the truth. That peace can remain amid confusion and uncertainty when the way ahead is not made plain and rest is found in Jesus, amid repeated baseless accusations by reflecting on Christ's suffering under false charges and leaving the matter and its results with the Lord, and amid continual conflict requiring watchfulness against evil.
In pain, sickness and weariness it accompanies trust in Jesus to care for the suffering body with real assurance of His compassion and help in every need, keeping the heart grateful and faithful through suffering, bringing comfort and relief as a felt though unseen presence, and coming in answer to prayer with such gladness and happiness that sleep is driven away by joy and strength is given to go on to the next place of duty rather than turn back. It keeps in good courage even one with heart trouble that sends blood rushing to the head, as the whole being is given to God's cause with a heart wholly His and food and drink found in doing His will. It fills sufferers whose minds are fixed on Christ the mighty Healer with spiritual health and comfort, it can come instantly after earnest prayer with complete relief of the brain in great distress, and it calls the sick to preserve self-control, take comfort in God's care, look away from self to Jesus, trust the Redeemer simply, submit to the care of others, and remain hopeful in God.
Kept in the heart through personal religion by living close to Jesus, consulting Him in all things and trusting Him with childlike simplicity, it gives skill to remedy the soul as well as the body and to deal wisely with diseased and ill-balanced minds, so that peace passes imperceptibly to those who need the soothing power of pure truth opened wisely in small portions to their understanding. In home and school it guards hearts and minds when parents gather children morning and evening in humble prayer for help, receive constant help to gain victory over self and live patient, loving, cheerful lives amid daily temptations and annoyances, consecrate themselves and their children to God for that single day without calculating for months or years, work its hours as if the last on earth, lay all plans before God to be carried out or given up as providence indicates, and accept His plans instead of their own even when cherished projects must be abandoned. When teachers receive Christ as an abiding Guest they have this peace to impart by words, attitude and example, for His communion with God remained calm even amid human or satanic wrath; it is desired for the recovering sick with trust, love and whole surrender to God, children are urged to receive and cherish it through faith with God's love dwelling within, and it comes to a household after prayer when a wanderer returns to God with tears, confession and reconciliation.
In mission it keeps the heart and mind of those sowing the seeds of truth, with His righteousness going before them, heavenly angels ministering to them and the Lord's glory as rear guard. Resting in God through practical communion brings the rest that fits believers to minister as they should, adds persuasiveness to words and influence through grace, shines forth from the countenance when His peace is in the heart, and imparts moral elevation; it is the daily reward of following on to know Him by faith, as God directs and guards the steps while sanctifying and elevating the powers. It is a truth to share with people as part of the message of God's love, and those who love pure truth, are freed from worldliness and self-exaltation, and are united possess even now a peace and quiet rest beyond understanding that impresses unbelievers by purity, humility and meekness and foretastes the exceeding great future reward in heaven, though the full reward may not come in this life.
It guards heart and mind through Christ against temptation by close communion with God, by practices arranged to resist temptation, and by every unholy passion held under sanctified reason through abundant grace; trusting the Lord and ceasing worry and strain are necessary to receive and rule by it, lest continued strain bring serious harm and undermine health and work. It is invoked as blessing and charge that it abide in the heart with cheerfulness and continual praise, to look up today, tomorrow and ever, to be of good courage and happy with nothing between the soul and the Saviour, and to keep heart and mind in simplicity in full dependence on God; prayer and entrusting matters to Jesus bring this peace and assurance in seeking duty, those who bring burdens with working faith find relief in perplexity as it guards them, every perplexity taken in prayer is met by a God who takes in the whole situation with the Holy Spirit's influence to be received, and those who bring everything to Jesus in earnest trusting prayer rather than worry receive wisdom with confidence that He will do His part. Assurance that God hears prayer brings cheerfulness in tribulation that lifts above despondency by quickening power, dispels gloom from the troubled mind as the Sun of Righteousness shines in, keeps the heart at rest under the most trying circumstances with victory so right triumphs over wrong, lifts the light of His countenance to give life and joy and power with love for Him who gave His life, sustains through severe trials, sickness and weariness, and brings revival with renewed strength and precious evidence of peace while seeking Him; needing more of it is needing more of God, breathing in Christ's Spirit and pressing upward to grasp more of the breadth and depth and height of His love. It is better than worldly pleasures and riches, sought and found in the gospel, surpassing understanding and knowledge as the daily reward of following on to know God by faith.