SPIRITUAL WARFARE
PEACE
“He hath delivered my soul in peace
from the battle that was against me”
Psalm 55:14
Warfare is the norm for those who are alive and growing in Christ; the world and all of its offerings are the enemy of the true pilgrim of faith. To the diligent of heart, the battles without are an indication of the warfare within. The daily battle is against the condition and weakness of the human heart. If we understand this vital truth, we can grow and develop our life in Him. While many seem unaware of the fierceness and urgency of this battle, there are many others who “fight the good fight” in the unseen world of spiritual things. It is to these that the promises of deliverance and the ministration of grace are extended. Grace is much more than just a sentiment. It is the power of God working within to bring victory and Peace. Peace is the offspring of spiritual victory.
“And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them”
2 Samuel 10:19
“For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, all the days of Solomon”
1 Kings 4:24-25
The reason Israel had peace was because Solomon “had dominion” over all of his enemies!
There is a depth of peace which is the result of the victories of the Lord within the confines of our own hearts. There is a government of peace which is to rule over our hearts in every situation. This is a peace that the world can never know or fathom; a peace that will rule and reign over our hearts within the concourse of daily life. As the enemies within our lives are brought under the dominion of Christ, (wherein we labour through the workings of grace), we will find this Peace. The dominion of this Peace is the result of His victory being worked out in us,
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Peace is the fruit of the Kingdom of God. It is a life held in the dominion of Christ where every thought and motive of our hearts become fully obedient and subject to His majesty.
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”
Romans 14:17
It is vital for God’s people to comprehend the vast difference between having a Peace WITH God, and our knowing and abiding in the Peace OF God.
“Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace WITH God
through our Lord Jesus Christ”
Romans 5:1
May the power of this truth enable us to rise up from every failure and every fear that hinders us from mounting up with wings as eagles. Our God is for us and we need not fear to take new steps of faith in our desire to walk obediently unto Him. Our peace with Him, secured by the offering of Christ, enables us to boldly rise to the place where His victory over sin and corruption becomes a reality in our own lives.
“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly…”
Romans 16:19-20
There is a life to be known in Him wherein we are held and kept by the very Peace of God; a peace of such dominion that the situations of life cannot disturb it, nor fear penetrate its wonder. It is a Peace beyond the words and formulas of men, for it is a peace secured by a life which abides in Him and is therefore free from self.
“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God OF peace shall be with you…”
Philippians 4:9
It is in the doing of truth that we experience the God of this peace dwelling and ruling within our lives. May we as the One Family of God seek to encourage one another to grow and discover the rich rewards of obedience unto Him.
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry”
Psalm 34:13-15
Where evil dwells there can be no peace. Though we have been mercifully justified in Christ, if we give our hearts to sin, we lose the wonder of His peace. We see this same scripture quoted in the New Covenant:
“He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil”
1 Peter 3:10-12
It is a false and foolish Gospel which presents peace apart from righteousness. Let us see that it is the “goodness of God” which leads us to repentance. The glory of true repentance is that it leads to the experience of the Peace OF God!
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
to the which also ye are called in one body”
Colossians 3:15
One of the most powerful tools God has given us for warfare and victory is found in true fellowship with others; it is designed by God for our encouragement and His glory. When God’s people gather unto Him there is a ministration of His presence to strengthen, invigorate and motivate us to press the battle of the Lord in each of our lives. His presence is the secret to our spiritual victory. Let His love pervade our times together that we may stand shoulder to shoulder in this evil day.
Brian Troxel