God’s promises e.g. Isaiah 41:10, apply to us who have a personal relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Within the Christian experience, there is a two-fold sense of peace. We are promised the peace of God when we commit our troubles and requests to Him, peace that will guard our heart and mind as we abide in Christ. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (request), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
But we can only experience the peace of God because we have peace with God. “Having been justified by faith” (declared or made righteous in the sight of God,) “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). Both types of peace are important, but there is an order: first, peace with God; then the peace of God. Both are gifts of God’s grace, worthy of praise and thanks to Him.
If you are seeking God’s peace in your life, make sure you have peace with God first. Both are ours through faith in Christ. When we lack the peace of God, we should turn to our peace with God.
The above was published May 29th, 2019 in the devotional “Turning Point” by Dr. David Jeremiah.