“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication 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 in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Peace is a quandary, isn’t it? Do you have it? Do you not? You want it, but is it accessible? If I get it, can I keep it?
Peace in most minds is variously the absence of war; or it is the absence of psychological/emotional war within an individual soul. It is a contented harmony among family and friends. It is the opposite of frenetic life. It is calm in the midst of storm; it is a body that is not restless; the nerves, the brain are simply “at ease.”This is what many call “peace”; the dictionary definition.
But the Bible differs in what it labels “peace.” The Bible speaks essentially about what exists between God and His creatures. If you and God are at war there is really no peace anywhere! It is only false prophets crying, “Peace, peace” when there is no peace!
Peace comes about with God in one solitary way. According to all of Scripture His Son is the sole mediator between the Father and us. Jesus says emphatically, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Peace stems from this exclusive relationship experiencing healing. And peace lasts when it is genuinely this peace. Peace which is temporary is no peace at all.
Peace and thanksgiving are inextricably linked. Scripture claims peace produces a grateful heart. Peace in the heart results in a thankful person.
Authentic, full-fledged gratitude arises out of being at peace with your Maker. Peace with Him makes it possible to thank Him in the first order and then thank all others as a natural consequence of it. Peace with God transforms you into a truly thankful person in every area of your life. You cannot help but exude gratitude toward everyone and be grateful for everything when you have genuine peace with God as your foundation.
Today on Thanksgiving you ought to take time to insure you have peace with God. True gratitude rests in this loving relationship with Him. If it isn’t right you won’t be a thankful person. If it is right you cannot keep from an effusive thanksgiving to others, and especially to God.
Thanksgiving is not as much a one day American holiday on the last Thursday of November as it is the best description of your heart, because of the peace which is yours by Jesus Christ.
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’”
(1st verse of Horatio Spafford’s hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul,” 1873)
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