How To Have Peace That Surpasses Understanding

Coffee With God: 7/14/2023 | Philippians 4:6-7

How to have peace that surpasses understanding:

Did you know that one of God’s promises to His children is peace?

But not just any peace; peace that surpasses understanding.

Woah. Sounds pretty good, right? A peace that surpasses understanding is a peace that transcends every situation and circumstance of life. It’s synonymous with the Hebrew idea of shalom – the perfect, integral wholeness that comes from being enveloped in God’s love.

Could you use a little of that peace? I bet you could.

There’s a way for you to have it. It’s not hard, although it may require some persistence. Like many of God’s promises, this one is contingent upon you doing something.

What must one do to receive God’s peace? Simply ask for it. It’s that simple. Who knew?

(Paul knew, actually… as have countless others through history. But I digress…)

Philippians 4:6-7 Refuse to be anxious about anything, but in all things by prayer and urgent appeal, make your requests known to God. And the shalom of God, which surpasses all understanding, will maintain continual watch over your heart and mind, which are in Christ Jesus.[1]

There are a few things I’d like to point out about this verse. First: the peace of God is meant to be an active, continually present force in our lives. Let me ask you, what type of person stands guard? Keeps watch? Provides security? A soldier does these things.

When describing how God’s peace relates to our hearts and minds, Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) chose a word that was often used to describe the security detail that Roman soldiers would provide for governors, prefects, and even the emperor.

God’s shalom keeps watch over hearts and minds that abide in Christ Jesus the way a soldier keeps watch over something valuable he’s been charged to protect.

Second: God’s peace is contingent upon us refusing anxiousness and making our requests known to God.

In Greek, the phrase “make your requests known” is written in the imperative tense. This means that Paul is not offering a suggestion. He’s giving a command:

If you want God’s shalom, you need to make your requests known to Him through prayer and urgent appeal. Period. End of story.

God promises that if we make known to Him our cares and burdens, our requests, desires, and appeals, He will give us peace that surpasses understanding.

And if you want to make extra certain that His peace is delivered to the front door of your heart, why not make that the focus of your prayers and urgent appeals?

Lord, give us your peace. We desperately need it to advance your Kingdom on Earth. In Jesus’ name.

[1] Translation my own.