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NewsDay

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Unspeakable peace

Opinion & Analysis
DESCRIBING divine peace, respected preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon in a sermon delivered during the evening service at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Sunday January 6, 1878, said: “It is one of which it is very hard to speak, because it surpasses all understanding, and, therefore, you may be sure, it must surpass all description.

DESCRIBING divine peace, respected preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon in a sermon delivered during the evening service at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Sunday January 6, 1878, said: “It is one of which it is very hard to speak, because it surpasses all understanding, and, therefore, you may be sure, it must surpass all description.

By Erasmus Makarimayi

It is one of those things which can be more readily experienced than explained.” He concurred with Joseph Stennett’s words: “Draw from heaven that sweet repose which none but he that feels it knows.” It is indeed peace unspeakable; peace transcending understanding. Today I revisit the message I shared in the NewsDay of Saturday November 15, 2014 titled, Desire peace from above.

We wrestle daily to meet our set targets and accomplish our desired goals. As we run up and down, the struggles of life may cause us to live stressful lives.

There are challenging situations to go through, obstacles to overcome and attacks to resist. It becomes necessary to have peace in order to sail through.

Peace is the antidote for the struggles of life, a tonic for the wasting away caused by pressure to succeed and excel. Without peace, it is difficult to progress. There are many adversities to peace but it should always be everyone’s desire to find it.

In peace we thrive and fulfil our assignments and purpose in life.

Peace is the inner tranquility mediated by the Holy Spirit. Even when circumstances appear contrary, the heart and mind can be at peace fully assured that divine counsel will prevail. The Bible promises cover from God. Isaiah 26:3 reads: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

There should be spiritual conviction that your hope is not in vain. If you are holding on to God’s promises, be at peace knowing that He is able and willing to bring to pass all His promises. We should not wrestle with His promises, but rest in His promises.

It is quite clear that the Spirit of God is the one who will keep us in perfect peace even during storms of life. A relationship with His Spirit will help us not shake, fear, tremble or panic.

Problems and troubles will confront us. When we lay our troubles before God in prayer, His peace will stand guard at the door of our hearts and minds, preventing the cares and heartaches of life from upsetting our lives and undermining our hope in Christ.

We should always rest on the promise of the inheritance of peace that Jesus gave us. He said in John 14:27: “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.”

This should always be the sure foundation for our positive attitude and optimism. The peace that comes from above cures troubled hearts.

Peace is what Jesus has left us. It is fundamental and cannot be taken away from us by any circumstance.

The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, connotes far more than the absence of war, conflict or stress.

The manifestation of peace should be from personal level right up to international stage. Peace entails tranquility in international relationships, such as peace between warring nations. It can also refer to settled feeling within a nation as during the time of prosperity and no civil war.

It can be experienced as wholeness and harmony in human relationships, both inside the home and outside the home. Peace also refers to one’s personal sense of wholeness and wellbeing free from anxiety and fear, that is, at peace within one’s own soul. Mankind should aim at the peace that existed before the fall of man.

At a personal level, we should guard against fear and anxiety. If our tranquility is disturbed, prayer, petition and thanksgiving will once again place us under the peace of God that guards our hearts. Philippians 4:6-7 admonishes: “[6] Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Crises, disappointments and unfortunate happenings may come; peace should keep us level headed. Peace that comes from above prevails in the midst of trouble, distress, turmoil, heartache and pressure.

If you are facing any adverse circumstances, the guarantee is that Jesus is working out His purposes. He will bring you to the end of the trouble. He will still the storm and quieten the waves.

Stay calm, balanced and remain peaceable. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge. All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

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