PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL

Text:  John 14:27

Peace is freedom of mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, obsession and inner turmoil.
It is a state of stillness and serenity, a state of freedom from agitation and anxious thoughts. It is a condition of harmony within self and others. It is lack of anxiety in the face of trials and tribulations.
Turmoil is a state of great confusion or disturbance or agitation and disquiet. Everybody needs peace in all spheres of life.

Peace can be found in the Word of God. Jer 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end."  Eph 2:14, "For he is our peace, who hart made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." Rom 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." Ps 72:7, "In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." Isa 55:12, "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Brethren, real peace can really be found in the Word of God. The assurance is sure because the peace giver has assured us. You are also admonished to follow peace with all men. Heb 12:14.
That you should let the peace of God rule in your hearts. 3:15a. Peace is a benefit of the kingdom of God. It is one of the nine-fold fruit of the Holy Spirit which must primarily be on display in all situations and circumstances in a Christian. In the deepest of storms and trials, the peace of the Lord is promised. John 14:27.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and he has come to give us peace. He says we should not let our hearts be troubled. Phil 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing." When we are born again, peace is our possession. The life of a Christian is that of peace because Christ is our peace and he has come to give us peace. Because you have Him, his peace is yours.

Let us examine those who have experienced peace in times of turmoil.
The peace of the Lord was upon Paul and Silas encouraged them to praise God even while in prison. Acts16:25, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God and the prisoners heard them."

The peace of the Lord around Stephen made him calm and not agitated when he was being stoned. Instead of being restless and anxious he looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God He prayed to God not to charge those who stoned him with the sin. Acts 7:55-60.

The peace of the Lord with Paul gave him courage to say in 2 Tim 4:4-8,"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” He sensed that the end was near yet he was not afraid. Paul was so much at peace with himself then that he was just awaiting a crown of righteousness. During challenging times, he had peace. This was evidenced by the momentum he kept by preaching the gospel of peace - the gospel of Jesus Christ. He confidently said in 2 Cor 4:8-9, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed." He was not falling apart, even though in adversity, he manifested peace with faith and was able to speak out the Word of God.

Horatio G  Spafford  the composer of the hymn, "It is Well with My Soul", experienced the peace of the Lord. It was during the time he lost his only son, his mansion got burnt down to rubbles, his four daughters perished in mid-Atlantic and on his way to meeting his wife who survived it, the Holy Spirit ministered to the song,  “When peace like a river attendeth my way." Brethren, it is possible to have peace in the midst of turmoil.

Who are those that will experience the peace of the Lord in the midst of turmoil.

• Those that have Jesus Christ: Eph 2:14.
• The Righteous: Ps 72:7.
• Those walking by faith and not by sight: 2 Cor 5:7.
• Those that quickly return to the Lord in repentance after a fall: Ps 51.
• Those that put their trust in Him and never allow situations and circumstances to control them: Isa 26:3.
• Those that carry everything to God in prayer: Phil 4:6-7.
• Those who hold on to the Word of God in faith, believe it and act on it: 2 Chron 20.
• Those that are spiritually minded and focus on Christ: Rom 8:6.

Dearly beloved, Jesus offered us peace that passeth all understanding. Make up your mind to stay and remain peaceful during trials, tribulations and storm of life. Make positive confessions with the Word of God. As you profess, so shall it be in Jesus's name.

Outside of Christ there is no peace. He is the Prince of peace. Refuse to be pressured. Remain calm and still in trials because it is in stillness that you know God's will. God enjoins us to do just that. Ps 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." You are admonished to surrender to the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Part of the fruit of the spirit is peace. Gal 5:22. Ask the Holy Spirit for help to manifest this.

Alexander Maclaren says, “Peace comes not from the absence of trouble but from the presence of Christ." Eph 2:14a For he is our peace. If you have him, you have peace. When we keep our mind fixed on the Lord of peace, He gives us his peace of mind. May his peace reign supreme in our lives. Amen

Prayer.
Father in heaven by your grace, cause my heart to be still and continually grant me peace in every situation and ability to focus on you always, and not on the situations. Enable me to say prophetically that it is well with my soul always in Jesus's name. Amen.