Jn 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. KJV
Have you ever shouted out, “Just give me some peace and quiet!”? We probably all have at one time or another.
Have you ever noticed how those two words are used together, but are usually taken to mean the same thing?
The statement is usually made in the midst of some sort of chaos.
We all desire peace and quiet.
The two are not the same. You can have one without the other.
It is possible to be quiet, but not at peace.
I had a young girl in my last class who was a selective mute. It took me three months to get her just to nod her head in my direction when she came into my classroom. She was quiet, but she was definitely not at peace.
No smile. No words for anyone. Eyes constantly darting around. Fear written all over her young, 11-year-old face.
In another instance, one of the elders in my church a few years back tried to follow my example of going up into the mountains for three days of fasting and prayer. While there he had a nervous breakdown. He discovered he was not able to be alone with his thoughts. It was quiet for him. Too quiet. He had no peace.
It is also possible to have peace in the midst of the most terrible chaos.
Mt 8:24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. KJV
I’ve been in the North Atlantic in the midst of a vicious storm. Sleep was not possible until one simply passed out from sheer exhaustion.
But, Jesus slept.
Jesus said that He will give us peace, but it will not be in the same manner or type that the world gives. The only peace the world knows is the absence of noise, the absence of chaos, the absence of war.
He gives us the peace that “passes understanding” (Phil. 4:7). It is a peace that goes beyond our understanding. It definitely goes beyond the understanding of the world, or the natural man.
We can (and should) be at peace in the most trying circumstances. We are in an hour that is trying men’s souls. This is nothing compared to what shall be; but it is a time to learn how to maintain peace.
“How can you be so peaceful when the world is falling apart all around you?”
Because I know in whom I have believed.
Yes, the world appears to be falling apart all around us in this hour. But, Jesus said to not let your heart be troubled nor let it be afraid.
Why?
Because we are at peace with the world, with ourselves, and with God, because Jesus has given that to us.
Do you know that peace?
If you do not know what it is to have that kind of peace in this kind of turmoil, I encourage to e-mail me or one of the other writers who are discussing this chapter of John’s gospel.
Practical Bible Teaching 
I shudder to think about life without HIS peace that passes all understanding. I know there have been times when it was very apparent in my life. And other times when it has not, and those times my eyes were not on Jesus the author and perfector of my faith…my own unbelief.
Your post has sparked a hymn in my heart…
I know whom I have believed
I am persuaded that HE is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto HIM against that day.
THanks Dale, glad you have joined us!
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Dale: Excellent insight my brother. I am with Darla when she says that she shudders to think about life without HIS peace.
It never ceases to amaze me though how many believers, who genunely love God, do not know this “peace that passes all human comprehension.” There are many times when I don’t know it myself. Perhaps it is because we don’t seek the giver of that peace but rely on our own efforts to “create” or force the peace we are longing for. Of course that only creates more chaos.
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It’s taken a long time but I”m finally beginning to experience this peace in my life. It’s a great feeling to know that God is really in control. We just need to learn to let Him be.
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Joe, maybe we are still learning what it means to keep our mind steadfast on the Lord while we acknowledge our trust in Him (Isa. 26:3)
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We’ve been through the worst turmoil of our lives in the past two-and-a-half years and yet…we’ve known peace. It certainly was not in the absence of trials, we’ve had many of those and they still keep coming, but we know we have peace. His peace has passed all our understanding.
Thanks, Dale.
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Dale thank you for this…
We are making some tough decisions right now as a family, and some of the things God is leading us to could be pretty scary if it were not for the peace He gives us as we make the decisions.
Peace beyond understanding…. One day we will .. One day…
Right now this world is just to darn loud for there to be quite..
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I missed this one too! You are added to my blogroll … it won’t happen again.
WONDERFUL application here, Dale. I love your pictures and imagery. Peace … I think my current study is going there. It’s such a huge concept. “My peace I give you …” Not just ‘a’ peace, but ‘MY’ peace. His peace is great, indeed.
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