And What Is This Peace?

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7

What the Apostle Paul is commending to us is peace that surpasses understanding and that which will guard our hearts and minds.  This is an enthralling idea, isn’t it? How can something that we cannot possibly understand guard our heart or mind?  It betrays logic—it doesn’t make any sense! It exists, but then again it doesn’t, not by any mortal invention or contrivance. Of course, we’re not talking about a ‘thing’ per se. No, we are talking about the peace of God that is provided to us through Christ Jesus; He Who reigns forever at the right side of the Father. It is God’s peace that is conveyed to us even as we are now seated together in heavenly places, in Christ. (Eph. 2:6)

Why is this incomprehensible gift of peace even necessary? Most of us would be happy to go a day without trial or affliction. Indeed, we would consider that day a peaceful day. God could give us that easily by removing all our difficulties. After all, with God nothing is impossible. How do I know that? Because God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing, and many believe that is impossible, right? Why else would men devise their own theory?

Oh well, it’s futile. Why should I try to explain the unexplainable; the unknowable—unfathomable; except that I know this peace exists, and it transcends understanding. How is that? First, I cannot fully understand the thrice Holy and eternal God Who is the source and fountain of such a blessed gift. Secondly I must ask, why me? Why was I so graciously, lovingly and effectually called? I can tell you this peace is not something I could create and sustain for any length of time, and even then, the trials I could face would be extremely light in affliction. No, what makes it so incomprehensible, is that the peace that is promised will come with heightened awareness during our darkest hours; when the evil day is present, and the trials seem insurmountable and agonizing. It is this peace that brought martyrs to die at the stake. Set aflame, they rejoiced; knowing that the flames of this world would burn quickly. They knew that they were not alone as the torch was laid to ignite the fuel that would soon be snuffed by the  grace of God’s fingers and they would be transported heavenward by a host of angels.

Again I ask, why is this incomprehensible gift of peace even necessary? It is because the peace of this world is no aid in a spiritual battle; where powers and principalities, seen and unseen, bring all to bear on God’s children. God knows the battle that we face, and He has armed us accordingly, and that for victory.  He knows our present capabilities, and thus, God will not allow more than what He knows we can handle in order for us to resist and flee the Devil. And as we cannot comprehend the nature of that supernatural battle; even so, we cannot begin to grasp the peace and love that surpasses understanding that we’re given to wage the daily conflict and to stand firm against the evil day.