"Beyond All Understanding"

 

    "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).

 

    The Apostle Paul's promise of God's peace that "passeth all understanding" is only possible in context of life's challenges, difficulties and pains. 

 

    When the waters upon which we sail seem calm and skies are blue, the sense of peace is understandable.  When our hearts are tranquil in the midst of storms, however, something inside of us transcends normal human understanding.  This something is actually Someone.

 

     "Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee" (Isaiah 26:3).

 

     The Prince of peace is Himself our peace.  We experience Him by prayerfully and thankfully trusting Him, whether in blessing or in trial.  The Lord Jesus Christ is no less able to keep our hearts and minds in the latter than in the former.  Indeed, our greatest knowing of peace actually comes to us when the trials of life press us beyond the calm known in still waters.   "The peace which passeth all understanding" involves experience of our Lord's person in a manner that transports us beyond the confines of earthly reality.  Normal explanation cannot account for the soul at peace when winds are blowing, waves are crashing, and our ship seems to be taking on water.

 

    Born again believers must expect the keeping of our hearts and minds.  We must anticipate peace which passeth all understanding.  The issue is not ourselves, but the One who inhabits our spirits.  "My expectation is from Him" (Psalm 62:5).  Is the Lord Jesus present, willing and able to reveal the peace of His heart when the winds, waves and waters tempt us to fear?  The Biblical answer is a resounding "Yes!"  Our answer must be the same.  Any lesser response leads us into delusion and the failure to avail ourselves of that peace our Savior purchased for us at the highest cost to Himself.  Yes, He is our peace, in this moment and forevermore.

 

"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)