September: A Word from the Pastor


peace of God

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. He alone established peace with God for all for whom He died.

God’s perfect justice was propitiated at the cross. The result of this atoning work is perfect peace with God for all who trust in Him. Perfect peace! But what about the turmoil that we sometimes experience in life?

Our expectation is peace – perfect peace, and yet sometimes we encounter distress.

In the face of troubling times, we must remind our anxious hearts that life is not defined by our circumstances, but rather by our God. He is at work in our lives even when troubles assault us on the pathway of life. In the mists of those troubles, we are to find peace – not in the trail, not in the removal of that trial, but rather in Christ. He gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life. But, God gives us peace in a way that we will know that it comes from Him.

He gives us peace when our hearts actively depend upon Christ.

In the Old Testament, the LORD promised, “The steadfast of mind (meaning the one formed and preserved) Thou wilt keep (meaning to guard as with a garrison) in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3). The LORD promised the righteous that He would continually guard them because they were relying upon Him.

He promised perfect peace to those who lived by faith in Him.

In the New Testament, the Lord promised,

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7)

In this passage, perfect peace is both the provision of God and the pursuit of the righteous. We trust in Him by bringing our distressing hearts to our heavenly Father. He grants us peace because we are seeking that peace only from Him. In this way, the saints of old endured great trials and afflictions with hearts carefully protected by God to stand firm in the faith in peace – perfect peace.

The God who promises is the God who provides.

When we look to him in our need, then He guards our hearts and minds to experience His peace which surpasses all understanding. Peace – perfect peace – this is the provision of the Father through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Always keep your hearts trusting the God of peace.

– Gary W. Custis