She shut her eyes so tightly, it looked like she was in incredible pain. The expression on her face revealed mounting tension, and any passerby, close to where she sat alone, could hear her mumbling, almost chanting. "I gotta hear God! I gotta hear God! I gotta hear God speak to me!" Over and over she repeated the phrase, as if she unwittingly believed that if she worked herself into a religious frenzy, she'd break through to her desired goal: hearing God. After a long time of nothing, she opened her eyes and leaned back into the overstuffed chair, despair written across her countenance. What was she to do? There had been no booming voice or inward stirring. She saw no vision and there were no angels. There wasn't even a scripture or biblical concept she could say was a "word" from the Lord. She felt despondent and neglected. Had God ignored her? Was she spiritually dull and deaf? She didn't know. All she knew was that she needed truth from Heaven immediately. She was facing a crisis of potentially catastrophic proportions. What was she to do?
In the back of her mind, a little prodding thought edged it's way forward. Reluctant to consider it, she calmed herself and then wondered. Could God have a different way to speak to her His truth than what she'd experienced in the past? It had never been this difficult or complicated before. Furthermore, was there some ancient, simpler way that she'd ignored, or dismissed, as not being spiritual enough? Her open Bible laid across her lap and she glanced down as one single word leaped off the page from it's text. "Peace! Peace?" It seemed too simple, too spiritually generic. But the quiet inward witness within her spirit seemed to embrace the word. She meditated. Could God use "peace" to speak to her situation? And if so, how was she to access it?
This young woman's wrestling match is common to many believers who sincerely struggle to hear God's truth, and like her, feel they've failed to acquire it.
As difficult times and crisis increase in the earth, more and more people will need to know how to hear from God's truth concerning their situations. Spiritual formulas won't work. And, normal answers won't suffice. Therefore, one of the most common ways God speaks, and that doesn't necessarily give details for actions or answers, is found in the way the Spirit gives peace when solutions aren't enough and issues are too complicated for a single way out. You need to learn how God's peace is an expression of truth when words and answers won't fix the situation alone.
Peace is an amazing subject of study primarily because the three main Hebrew and Greek words, translated as peace in the Bible, reveal a much larger concept than the "feeling and conditions" that's often attributed to peace. The Hebrew words Shalom, a derivative of Shalam, and the Greek word, Eirene, paint an enormous and extensive spiritual vista in defining peace. In fact, comparatively, the biblical concepts and definitions for God's great salvation is nearly the same as the words the Scriptures translate as peace. One is directly related the other. I've listed, for the sake of helping you see how big peace is, the various definitions or translations for these Hebrew and Greek words for peace as derived from various Hebrew and Greek Lexicons and Concordances.
Shalowm or shalom means and describes peace as-
1. To be Safe- OR figuratively, well and happy
2. Abstractly it means welfare
3. It refers to completeness and soundness in all areas of life and especially in body.
4. It means welfare
5. It means safety
6. It is health and prosperity
7. It refers to quiet, tranquility, contentment
8. It is directly related to friendship and healthy relationships, especially covenant relationships with man and God
9. It mean to have a cessation of war, strife and quarrels
Shalam, which is the primitive root for Shalom means
1. To be safe in mind, body or estate
2. It infers to make something completed, to be finished, to be ended, or bring something to it's conclusion so that it is whole and sound. It carries with it the idea of wholeness, or a restored sense of goodness.
3. It also has the sense of friendliness
4. Shalam is a covenant word and means that you are in a covenant of peace, or in the condition of being or living at (in) peace
5. Shalam involves that you will try to make peace with God and people.
6. To be in peace means that you are uninjured.
7. Shalam also means to make something safe.
8. There is also the idea of peace being a reward, a compensation for wrongs once done and a reciprocation for past deeds.
The most commonly used Greek word for peace, Eirene is defined and described as-
1. A state of national tranquility, when the rage and havoc of war has ended.
2. Peace is also once again a state of harmony and agreement between individuals
3. This word for peace is very similar to the Hebrew word Shalom, meaning security, safety, prosperity, felicity
4. Obviously, peace is also directly associated with the peace that the Messiah's grants.
5. Peace is also a concept unique to genuine Christianity that involves the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. of the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.
As you can see peace involves a lot more than just a feeling of not being stressed. But in connection with how the Spirit of God communicates it to us, we need to understand that peace is not just a condition. It is directly linked to the character and nature of God. So in essence it involves His very presence manifested to bring about the things it is defined as.
Judg 6:23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. 24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites. KJV
God is Jehovah Shalom. The Lord God of Peace. Although only named this specifically in Judges 6:24, the designation is consistent through the Bible. Our God is a God of Peace. Furthermore, Gideon honored God as the God of Peace at a time when the nation could have been judged for their backsliding, and in respect to the Lord having seen the angel of the Lord. Gideon realized that this peaceful assurance affirmed that he would win the battle against Midian and set Israel free from their oppressions. Ironically, Midian's name means strife and contention. Therefore to war against them to obtain peace, strife had to be dealt with. It makes sense then that sometimes in order to gain peace, one must first fight against strife.
Paul's statements in his letter to the Romans confirms that God's peace often requires conflict. He is both a God of peace and a God of war.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.KJV
Deuteronomy 1:30 The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;KJV
Deuteronomy 3:22 Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you. KJV
2 Chronicles 32:8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. KJV
Nehemiah 4:20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.KJV
Many a believer struggles with understanding that God is so multifaceted. But consider this. God is capable of being everything we need at any time we need Him to to accomplish His will. So often when peace is needed, He must first demonstrate His heart as a warrior. He can be both and not contradict Himself because He knows what the end goal is.
The question is: How does the Spirit communicate His truth of peace to us? What does the Spirit do? Is there anything we should do? Should we be aware of possible problems? How should we deal with this?
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, KJV
We've already discovered that God is the God of Peace. He is the one who brings about your wholeness, prosperity, safety, security, health, welfare, tranquility, quiet, contentment and friendship. He does so because of His covenantal commitment to you. The Christian has a spiritual advantage in that the New Birth opens up an unrestricted door for spiritual peace because of what Jesus did and accomplished in the shedding of His blood on the cross. As you grow in the knowledge of Him and all that He is about, you set yourself up for an increase of peace.
The peace, however, you need to endure difficult situations and uncertainties is not obtained by being casual in your faith. Furthermore, when the Spirit of God communicates the truths of peace there will be without a doubt a supernatural immersion of tranquility, contentment and satisfaction, in the sense, of feelings, if you can recieve it as such. In fact, when Jesus talked to his disciples about the promise of the Father, or the coming outpouring of the Holy Spirit, He connected peace, with the promised Comforter. This is why, when that peace of the Spirit manifests, fear flees, even if the circumstances have changed immediately. Furthermore, the fruit of the Spirit is peace!
AND LET.....
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.KJV
Col 3:15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
Without biblical exception, when God gives us a gift, we always have to take possession of it, or make it ours! It is a principle consistent throughout the Bible. What is given is not automatically yours until you cooperate with God to make it your own. Therefore, the two words; and let, are very important.
Paul wrote in Colossians 3:15 that we must let the peace of God rule in our hearts! This implies that we can choose not to do so, which is a sad situation indeed. Moreover, the literal translation of his statement to the Colossian believers indicates something marvelous about God's peace. Peace acts like an umpire, or a person who officiates a game, its beginning and ending, enforcing it's rules and making judgment calls on what's done, while also handling the disciplinary actions needed if something goes wrong. In fact, when you let God's peace rule and the Spirit of God communicates peace to you, that peace, produces a sense of deep harmony, because it restricts anything illegal operating in your heart so that the questions you have are settled, and a sense of finality to your need is overuled by the peaceful state you've chosen to allow.
Many believers keep waiting on God to give them something that legally already belongs to them and they just need to cooperate with Him. Let the peace rule in your heart! The question is how do you do that?
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:KJV
Isaiah the prophet explains that peace is actuated by something very simple. You need to learn to "stay" or fix your mind on the Lord! This is a discipline not easily learned overnight because fixing your mind, and thoughts on the Lord requires firm decision and the recognition of what thoughts should be resisted. Paul addressed this with helpful clarity in Colossians 3:1-3. The Amplified transliteration of these verses says it well.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.KJV
Col 3:1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Ps 110:1.]2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.AMP
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.KJV
This is what Paul called being spiritually minded. Look and read what Romans 8:5-6 says! To be carnally minded is death. But to be spiritually minded is life and PEACE! We need to grow in our knowledge of who God is, what He's accomplished for us and what belongs to us because of the New Birth, always leaning toward the leading of the Spirit in everything. Peace is found in this type of living!
Phil 4:6 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.8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 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.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. KJV
Phil 4:6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ( definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. AMP
Philippians 4:6-9 explains how to accomplish this in much more detail. Paul challenged the Philippian believers not to worry or be anxious about anything. Now I realise that this sounds like a tall order. But I don't believe he would have told them to do so if it wasn't possible. We just have become so ruled by our circumstances, feelings and problems that we haven't developed in these areas. He then instructed them in how to accomplish that.
First of all, no matter what the need or situation, you must learn to pray specifically for, and about your needs, accompanying your requests with thanksgiving for the answers before you see them. These practices alone would relieve many troubled believers and open the doors for peace. Secondly, Paul exhorted them to think about the things that would facilitate a positive mental attitude and a spiritual approach to every aspect of life. He said to think only about the things that are true, and worthy of reverence and honorable or seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise. He told them to think on or weight and take account of these things. The results would be an abiding presence of God's peace that would make way for the help you needed.
Don't make excuses for the carnal mind that reasons away the truths of what's already been accomplished in the New Birth, and says that to focus on those truths as lying to yourself. Honestly we live a greater lie when we don't think in a spiritually minded manner because we are then denying what Jesus did for us and where we are seated with Him above and not beneath our contests. Tell yourself the truth of who you really are according to God's perspective.
1 Cor 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.KJV
Jer 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah. 16 Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk (therein). 17 And I set watchmen over you, (saying), Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken.ASV
Ezek 13:8-16
8 Therefore thus says the Lord God: "Because you have uttered delusions and seen lies, therefore behold, I am against you, says the Lord GOD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see delusive visions and who give lying divinations; they shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. 10 Because, yea, because they have misled my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace; and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets daub it with whitewash; 11 say to those who daub it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, great hailstones will fall, and a stormy wind break out; 12 and when the wall falls, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the daubing with which you daubed it?' 13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath; and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to destroy it. 14 And I will break down the wall that you have daubed with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare; when it falls, you shall perish in the midst of it; and you shall know that I am the LORD. 15 Thus will I spend my wrath upon the wall, and upon those who have daubed it with whitewash; and I will say to you, The wall is no more, nor those who daubed it, 16 the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace, says the Lord GOD.
Having said all this I am well aware that there are dangers. People desperate for answers, and often in denial of their circumstances, will sometimes say that they have peace concerning their situations without recognizing that their feeling is just an emotional bandaid that has no stability in God. False peace originates outside of the truth of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and engages because of mental assent to what God says. Positive thinking and hopeful announcements promising peace without the accompanying characteristics of prayer, intercession, praise, grace, faith, love and holiness, produce temporary but false encouragement.
For example, the false prophets of the Old Testament, lacked prayer and spiritual revelation. Consequently they prophesied "Peace, Peace" when in fact, peace would not happen. Their type of "spiritual revelation", if you could call it that, only created confusion and disappointment. The peace that God gives, however, produces an inward genuine tranquility and trust that is developed according to a responsible, diligent, daily, managed relationship.
God is a God of peace. This means He wants to communicate His peace to you by the Spirit. There are also times when He may sovereignly immerse you in His peace such as when you have no strength to pray things through. This happens especially when death or serious illness occurs in families. Nonetheless, why wait till then? Let His peace rule in your heart now. There is no need to delay. Why not posture yourself to enjoy His tranquility and contentment? Its really worth the discipline!
In order to stay your mind on the Lord, as stated by Isaiah, and according to the New Birth, you must choose to set your affections, or minds, as translated in the Amplified version, upon the things which are above. This does not mean you deny your circumstances. But it requires that you accept the legal posture acquired through the New Birth that you are seated above your circumstances and you have consequently chosen to focus on and believe that your old life and the works of darkness aimed against you are not yours any longer. Peace needs this type of personal discipline to operate. If you are more focused on the things of this world, the fallen nature, the works of the flesh and your feelings, you probably won't experience the peace the Holy Spirit desires to communicate to you. Don't sabotage yourself. Get ahold of your thoughts and feelings and make them submit to the truths of what God has done for you.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.KJV
John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.KJV
