'I Leave You Peace'

//Craig W. Hagin

Jesus' death on the cross not only brought salvation and healing to mankind, it also brought peace. Isaiah 53:5 (Amplified) says, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; THE CHASTISEMENT [NEEDFUL TO OBTAIN] PEACE AND WELL-BEING FOR US WAS UPON HIM."

Christians should never have to search for peace, because Jesus obtained it for us 2,000 years ago. If Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we already have peace.

We know from John 10:10 that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. So it shouldn't surprise us when we find ourselves in situations that try to rob us of peace. The devil is just doing what he's done since he showed up in the Garden of Eden.

What's surprising is that the devil is able to destroy Christians. When we don't know who we are in Christ, we unintentionally allow the devil to dominate us.

On Calvary's cross, Jesus stripped Satan of his power and authority. Before Christ ascended to Heaven, He transferred His authority over principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world to us. The only way the devil can defeat us is if we don't use our authority and resist him.

Batman movies have been very popular over the years. If you've seen any of them, you know that Batman has a lot of gadgets to help him stop the bad guys. Well, as Christians we have "gadgets" too. But knowing that we have gadgets and using them are two different things.

Instead of invoking our peace gadget, many Christians try to figure out how to find peace through self-meditation or self-medication. But we don't have to try to find peace. We just need to enjoy the peace that Jesus has already purchased for us.

Where's Your Focus?
If we want to maintain peace, we must keep our minds on Jesus. The fact is, if we focus on Christ and Him crucified and everything He's provided for us, we won't get upset.

ISAIAH 26:3–4 (Amplified)

3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

What often happens is that we lose our focus when the devil attacks. Instead of keeping our eyes on Jesus, we look at the bad things that are happening around us. But if we keep our eyes on Him, we'll have what the Bible calls "perfect peace."

We see in Psalm 23 that no matter how dark our situation may look, we can still have peace.
Psalm 23:4 (Amplified) says, "Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me."

When you're walking in someone's shadow, you're walking pretty close to that person. If you're walking through the shadow of death, then you're walking pretty close to death and destruction. At times like this, what really matters is how close to God you're walking.

Many people give up when they think the end is near. But however close to death you may be, there's still hope. Even if it gets really dark and looks as if there's no hope for survival, Jesus is with you. He promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). He's with you 24/7/365. Keep your focus on Him and you will see your situation turn around.

Living in Peace

Jesus shed His blood so we can have peace. All we have to do is walk in that peace and be peaceful. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27 (Amplified), "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"

We can walk in His peace because we have the Holy Spirit—the Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby; the One Who's ever-present—dwelling in us. He will help us every step of the way if we walk with Him.

Because Jesus lives, we can have peace. Because He lives, we can have healing, prosperity, and abundant life. The thief will come and try to destroy us, but "no weapon formed against us shall prosper" (Isa. 54:17). When an attack comes, we just need to stand and invoke peace in the Name of
Jesus.

FAITH IN ACTION

Psalm 23 (Amplified)

Although the word peace is not found in this psalm, its verses are filled with peace. As you meditate on these words, allow God's peace to rise up in your heart.

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me],
I shall not lack.

He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil,
for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.