Peace Beyond Understanding
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson
Key Scripture:
Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:7, Isaiah 9:6, 2 Peter 1:2-3, and Proverbs 25:2 (NASB)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word “peace” as “a state of tranquility or quiet.” The original language for the Galatians passage says the word used has an uncertain definition, but implies welfare. The same word is used in the Philippians 4 verse. I looked up what the word means in Isaiah 9:6 where Christ is called, “Prince of Peace.” Here, the word “peace” means completeness, soundness and welfare.
How do you gain completeness? You have to know you are missing nothing. But is that how we feel? Do we believe we have everything we need for life and godliness as 2 Peter 1:2-3 tell us? How do we get that peace? The New American Standard Bible (NASB) version, which I use, adds a little word in this verse, and I think it has huge implications. It’s the word TRUE. The verse reads, “…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the TRUE knowledge of Him who called us…” It’s that word TRUE that messes us up. We don’t have a true understanding of God’s love for us.
We’re told that there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ, yet we believe He’s mad at us if something goes wrong in our lives or if we mess up. We’re told that Christ died for us, now we should live for Him. He didn’t ask that of us! He told us to let HIM live THROUGH us. The Apostle Paul said that it is NO LONGER I who live, but Christ Who lives IN me. We can’t do it! We’re given an entire “wardrobe” of armor to go into battle with Him as our Shield, yet we walk around spiritually naked because we don’t understand, or accept, the power of those pieces of clothing we’ve been given. And we wonder why we don’t feel any peace when the enemy is firing unending arrows our way.
TRUE knowledge of Who He is, who WE are because of Him, and who He is making us is beyond important. It is VITAL to thriving in this world. We aren’t meant to survive it. We are called to something very different than those who don’t know Him. If we look just like everyone else, why would they want what we have?
I can’t say I’ve got a full grasp of all of this yet. I don’t know that any human being will on this side of heaven. But, I DO believe that God wants me to see a more excellent way. He wants to teach all of us more about the TRUE knowledge of Who He is in order for us to be different in a world which desperately needs His Light.
Proverbs 25:2 is something I find very interesting. A pastor friend of mine likes to say that God doesn’t have favorites, but He DOES have intimates. Intimates are those who have dug deeply into His Word to find the nuggets of truth or the concealed gems others have overlooked. I want to be an intimate with Him. I want to hear from Him and see from Him things that others ignore because their hearts aren’t seeking. I want that because I know it is where I will find His real peace…in true knowledge of Him.
My Prayer: Daddy (God), change my eyes to see You. Cause my ears to hear You. Give me the courage to seek You even more deeply for true knowledge, and the faith to believe what You reveal. Make me different so that Your Light will shine through to those around me who desperately need Your Love, joy and peace. In the Holy Name of Christ I pray, Amen.
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Author Bio:
A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of 8 with the heart to impart stories and God's truth.
She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.
Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.
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Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson
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