Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
I can picture the Philippian church gathered together to hear their letter from the Apostle Paul read to them for the very first time. Acts 16 tells us who some of the attenders would be. When the phrase was read, “the peace that passeth understanding,” one of the listeners would be Lydia, seller of purple. She could recall how she, although rich and religious, did not have this peace until Paul and his company shared with her (and some other women by a river) the wonderful good news of the gospel. In the audience as well would be a former demon possessed and fortune-telling slave. This dear saint would recall how she was delivered from Satan’s torment when she was introduced to the Prince of Peace. Lastly, the Philippian jailor could testify how he witnessed supernatural peace in others before he received it himself. Paul and Silas were beaten for the faith and then put in stocks in his prison. The Philippian jailor witnessed peace as Paul and Silas sang praises to God all night long. That same night an earthquake opened up the doors of the prison and loosed the prisoner’s shackles. The jailor, and now believer, almost died that night by falling on his own sword to escape punishment but before he could fall on his sword, Paul exclaimed, “Do thyself no harm for we are all here.” The powerful testimony of supernatural peace caused the Philippian jailor to cry out, “sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Peace means, “inner tranquility, contentment, quietness, and rest.” Peace is a defining and distinguishing characteristic of every mature believer: “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” (Psalm 37:37)
There are many people in this world that have everything culture and society tells them they need, to have peace (“tranquility, contentment, quietness, and restfulness”). There are people with houses, possessions, beautiful families, health, etc., yet still they have not peace.
Christ told his disciples in the upper room about the source of true and everlasting peace. This was the same source that Paul reminded the Philippian church of.
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. (John 14:27)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
True peace comes from heaven above not from the world below. Christ’s peace can be our present possession. We can “have peace” no matter what our present circumstance. Peace is never to be found in the natural world only in the supernatural God. Jesus told his disciples that in this world they could expect tribulation, but “be of good cheer!” They could enjoy supernatural peace in the midst of the storm because Christ has overcome the world. Remember, in a sin cursed world you will never have a time when everything is absolutely “ok” in your life. That is why Jesus stressed the fact that peace is not the absence of conflict it is the presence of Christ. Paul instructed the Philippian church that the worlds’ cares (“tribulations”) were to be cast upon the Lord in prayer “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”