I Am Given God's Peace

Affirmations 2023 | Your Identity in Jesus Christ | Full Armor of God

Night Owl Christian

Mar 12, 2023

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Select this link for the list of all the affirmations and links to each post.

Lies from the Enemy

“I can’t have peace in my life.”

Your adult child just died in a tragic car accident
Your minor child is very sick and doctors are perplexed
Your beloved elderly parents are suffering, or have just passed away
You’re unemployed, or under employed, and it’s getting harder to pay the bills
Your bank failed and shut down; you can’t withdraw your money
You’re wondering if you’ll ever find your life partner
You’ve just lost your home and all your belongings
You have cancer and have only a few months left to live

And the enemy shakes salt on your wounds by adding an additional lie:

“God’s not with you in all this.”

You wonder if God’s with you, and feel you’ll never have a peaceful life again.

What God Says about You

God knows what’s going on in your life, and He’s always with you, His redeemed child.

Louie Giglio counters the enemy’s lie by reminding us of God’s truth with a phrase and a passage from God’s word:

“God will give me His perfect peace.”

John 14:27 (ESV)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

God not only will give you His perfect peace, He already has.

The word for peace in verse 27 in the Koinē Greek is εἰρήνη or eirēnē in English pronunciation. It’s similar to the biblical Hebrew word shalom (שָׁלוֹם or šālôm), and means “undisturbed” (quiet, at rest). In both languages “peace” was often used in saying farewell, and the speaker expressed a desire of good health or wellbeing to the individual spoken to (see Mark 5:34). This last point is significant. Why?

Because John 14 is one of several chapters in which Jesus was saying farewell to His disciples. And, He wished them shalom, He wished them well.

Before He was unjustly tried.

Before He was savagely beaten.

Before He was crucified.

Jesus was about to face hell and yet, His last words in John 14:27 focused on peace, His peace, a gift He was giving His beloved disciples.

Jesus knows the hell you’re facing, and He’s with you, along with His shalom.

The peace that Jesus gives you is His complete and total forgiveness of your sins, powerful enough to obliterate both sin and death as your destiny. His peace of forgiveness restores you to a loving and forever family relationship with God, and it seals your adoption as a beloved child of God, a child of the mighty Lord of Hosts, your Abba (Daddy).

The peace that Jesus brings has disarmed your enemy.

Jesus’ peace will reign within you in spite of circumstances and in spite of your emotions.

And, one day, you’ll live fully in His peace when He brings you home, a peace you can’t even begin to imagine right now, but will be yours forever.

(See Giglio’s book, “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table”, based on Psalm 23.)

Your Take Away

Jesus does not promise us a life free from suffering.

John 16:33 (NIV)
33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

However, Jesus promises Himself to us, always, every minute of every hour. Remember this truth when your life is disturbed, unsettled, and you go through suffering. That’s when the enemy will target you with his lies.

Will you choose to listen to the enemy’s lies or will you choose to embrace God’s truth about you, about Him? About what truly matters?

Take time this week to meditate on how you can stand firm with Christ when life’s circumstances are not peaceful.

Then, ask yourself:

What lies from the enemy have you believed about God’s peace not being yours, not available to you?
Which verses in God’s word can you use to fight back against this lie? (Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.)
When are you going to ignore the enemy? (Why not start today!)

If you struggle with believing the truth of God’s amazing love for you, please find a safe and loving person who follows Jesus. Talk with that person about your hesitation, your doubts.

Dear friend, it’s time we all take back what the enemy has stolen through his lies. God’s word, and our relationship with Him, are our keys to victory.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Conversation & Community

What are your thoughts about this affirmation, “I am given God peace.”?

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