by Tammy Phillips
December 11, 2023
“Peace be with you.” (Jhn 20:19 NKJV)
“Peace be with you.” Those are weighty words to write after our city has been devastated by tornadoes. I listened to siren after siren and warning after warning go off Saturday in our city. The tornadoes laid a path north and south of us.
One friend of ours came face to face with a tornado. Another friend’s husband and children witnessed it go by their property. Their neighbor recorded it. Praise God! They and their prayed-over-property were unharmed. All the while that same friend whose family witnessed the whirl was 20 miles away awaiting the storms to pass with her mother. Another friend’s employee lost a seven-year-old son. My heart breaks for his parents. One death was way too many but this storm claimed six as of now. How can I so easily say, “peace be with you?”
When Jesus returned from the dead, the disciples were hiding in fear for their lives. The Jews and Romans had killed Jesus. Why would they not be next? The first thing he said standing in the middle of them, “Peace be with you.” In those four words He spoke peace to them, but it was like He was also saying, “Here, I am. Peace in the form of a man is with you.”
“Then, the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (Jhn 20:19 NKJV)
Peace is not a feeling. Peace is a person. His name is Jesus.
“For He Himself is our peace.” (Eph 2:14 NKJV)
Peace is the answer! Jesus is the Prince of Peace! Jesus is the answer in the only answer before the storm, in the eye of the storm, and after the storm.
Peace in the Hebrew/Greek means whole; health; complete; safe; sound; prosperity; wellness; quiet. Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Jhn 14:27 NKJV)
Jesus is the peace who calms our troubles and take away our fears when the storms of life roar around us. He was born, died, and paid with his life to be our Prince of Peace.
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6 NKJV)
“Surely, He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows…But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isa 53:4-5 NKJV)
Peace is not a feeling. Peace is a place.
“You will keep [him] in perfect peace, [Whose] mind [is] stayed [on You], Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, [is] everlasting strength.” (Isa 26:3-4 NKJV)
Peace is a place in Jesus. When we abide in Him, He keeps us in perfect peace, no matter what is going on around us or what we are going through.
Peace is not a feeling. Peace is a blessing.
The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29:11 NKJV)
When life boils around us, how comforting it is to know that God will strengthen and bless us? It is His word. It is His promise. And He promises to bless His people with peace and strength to do get through anything.
Hello? As followers of Christ, you, and I, We are his “people.” We have this comfort in turmoil, storms, sickness, death and in life…
“The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phl 4:5-7 CSB)
His peace is outside the realm of understanding but it the very best place to be.
I enCOURAGE you with these words, “PEACE BE with YOU!” Jesus be to you! Let Him in. He is peace… Wholeness! Completeness! Health! Safety! Security! Soundness! Prosperity! Wellness! Harmony! Order! He is the calm in the middle of the storm. Please pray for our city, the first responders, but most of all those who have lost… so very much.
“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.” (2Th 3:16 KJV)
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” (2Pe 1:2 KJV)
VIVA MAGENTA: Live. Breathe. Peace be with you.
Complete in Him 