I Have the Peace of God | Daily Devotional » I Stand In The Gap

I hope that as you read through this devotional, you will be encouraged and inspired to draw closer to God and experience the peace He offers.

May this devotional be a source of strength and comfort as you navigate life’s challenges with the peace of God in your heart.

» Sunday, 19th March 2023 | I Stand In The Gap Daily Devotional | I Have the Peace of God

Yesterday’s daily devotional theme was “After the Darkness Comes Light“ and today’s is about “I Have the Peace of God“.

Anchor verse of the day

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.

John 14:27 (NKJV)

Our anchor verse of John 14:27 says it’s easy to feel anxious and stressed out in a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming. But as followers of Christ, we have access to a peace that surpasses all understanding and comes from God alone.

Themes in John 14:27

Peace: The primary theme of this verse is peace. Jesus promises to leave His peace with us, which is not like the peace that the world gives. It is a supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding.

Christ’s departure: Jesus is preparing to leave His disciples, and this verse is part of His farewell discourse. He promises to leave His peace with them, even though He is physically departing from them.

Jesus’ gift: Peace is a gift that Jesus gives to His followers. It is not something that we can earn or attain through our own efforts. We receive it by faith as a free gift from Him.

Trust: In order to experience the peace that Jesus offers, we must trust in Him. We must trust that He is who He says He is, and that He has the power to give us the peace that we need.

Overcoming fear: Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid. He encourages them to have faith in Him and to trust in His promises, which will help them overcome their fears and anxieties.

Background to John 14:27

John 14:27 is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse to His disciples, which takes place in the upper room before His arrest and crucifixion. Jesus had just told His disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for them and that they could not follow Him at that time (John 13:36).

This news troubled the disciples, and they had many questions and concerns about what was going to happen to them after Jesus left. In response, Jesus offers them words of comfort and assurance, telling them that He will not leave them alone but will send them the Holy Spirit to be with them (John 14:16-18).

In verse 27, Jesus promises to leave His peace with them, a peace that surpasses all understanding. He tells them not to be troubled or afraid, but to trust in Him and in the Father. These words were meant to encourage and strengthen the disciples during the difficult days ahead, as they faced the challenges of living out their faith in a hostile world.

Similar Bible verses

⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

This verse is similar to John 14:27 in that it speaks of the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. It encourages us not to be anxious but to pray and present our requests to God with thanksgiving. When we do so, God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

This verse also speaks of the peace that comes from trusting in God. It reminds us that if our minds are steadfast, and if we trust in God, He will keep us in perfect peace. This peace comes not from our own efforts or circumstances, but from our relationship with God and our trust in His goodness and faithfulness.

How is the Christian to live based on John 14:27

Trust in Jesus: Jesus tells His disciples not to be troubled or afraid, but to trust in Him and in the Father. As Christians, we are called to trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and to place our hope and confidence in Him.

Receive the peace of God: Jesus promises to leave His peace with His disciples, a peace that surpasses all understanding. As Christians, we can receive this peace by faith as a free gift from Jesus. This peace can help us to navigate the challenges of life with calm and confidence, knowing that we are not alone.

Cultivate a life of peace: Jesus’ peace is not just a feeling, but a way of life. As Christians, we are called to cultivate a life of peace, characterized by love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This means seeking to live in harmony with others, pursuing reconciliation and forgiveness, and avoiding strife and conflict whenever possible.

Reflection

John 14:27 is a powerful reminder of the peace that Jesus offers to His followers. In this verse, Jesus promises to leave His peace with His disciples, a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not based on our circumstances or our own efforts, but on our relationship with Him. As Christians, we can have confidence in the fact that Jesus is with us always, and that His peace is available to us at all times.

The title “I Have the Peace of God” is a powerful declaration of faith and trust in Jesus. It reflects a deep sense of security and assurance that comes from knowing that we are loved and cared for by our Creator. When we claim this title for ourselves, we are affirming our belief that God’s peace is available to us, and that we can trust in Him to guide us through life’s ups and downs.

At the same time, the title “I Have the Peace of God” is also a challenge to us as Christians. It reminds us that we are called to live in a way that reflects the peace that we have received from Jesus. We are called to cultivate a life of peace, characterized by love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This means seeking to live in harmony with others, pursuing reconciliation and forgiveness, and avoiding strife and conflict whenever possible.

In a world that is often characterized by anxiety, fear, and division, the peace of God is a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel. As we claim this peace for ourselves and seek to live in a way that reflects it to others, we can be a beacon of hope and light in a world that desperately needs it.

Let us pray

Our Father,

Thank You for the peace that You offer us through Jesus Christ. As we go about our day, help us to remember that we have the peace of God, a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Help us to trust in You and to cultivate a life of peace, characterized by love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

May Your peace guide us through life’s ups and downs, and may we be a witness to Your truth and love in the world.

In Jesus’ precious name, we pray.

Amen.