The complete peace

I've been talking about the divine exchange; what Jesus took from us on the cross and what he gave us in return.  What an amazing deal from our perspective.  He has given us so much, and yet so many Christians are ignorant of what belongs to us or they chose not to walk in the blessings and promises of God. 

If we continue to look at Isaiah 53 (KJV), we see in verse 5 it reads:
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

This week I want to mention the 'peace' noted here.  Quite often we think of peace as the absence of stress or strife, but in the Hebrew, the word used is 'shalom' and it means SO much more than this. 

Olive Tree Enhanced Strong's Dictionary defines it as: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, completeness, safety, soundness (in body) welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment, peace, friendship of human relationships with God especially in covenant relationship.

Can you see that this kind of peace, purchased by Jesus, is about wholeness of spirit, soul and body.  It's about being internally at peace, prosperous, healthy and content.

To be at 'peace', this kind of peace, is a truly amazing place to be in.   When we are 'whole', with nothing missing, nothing broken, think how we can function!  We would not be offended, not be lonely, not be afraid, not be struggling..  This is what Jesus came to give us.

I know that the days when I am struggling most it is because I have put my mind on the circumstances in my life, on other people, the way the treat me, or what is happening, and that is results in stepping further away from the kind of peace Jesus came to give us.

In John's gospel we read:  
“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!" John 14:27 (TPT)

Jesus gave us an amazing gift.  Something that most of the time we just brush over, but I believe is a significant part of our inheritance as believers.

Today if you are struggling, or feeling incomplete, I encourage you to focus on Jesus and the work of the cross again.  Remind yourself of all that Jesus purchased for you and thank him for the peace that is yours as a child of God.  

When your emotions rise up in opposition to God's word, remind yourself to take your thoughts captive and rest in that peace that is yours.  

Have a great weekend. 


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