Study8 - Great Promises

WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 59 (2) It is perfect in its quantity.
That is to say, the supply of it is sufficient and it

exactly meets our need. The marginal rendering of “perfect peace” is
BIBLE STUDY NOTES GREAT PROMISES IN THE OLD
“peace, peace” – that is double peace. Notice the significance of this in
TESTAMENT Philippians 4:7 where we read that this double peace is the peace of heart
by Francis W. Dixon and of mind; and that is the kind of peace we need, a peace that garrisons
our mind and calms our heart. It is also double peace in the sense that it is
Study 8 THE PROMISE OF PEACE IN THE MIDST OF STORM peace with God (Romans 5:1) and the peace of God (Philippians 4:7), and
(Key verse: Isaiah 26:3) we can never know the peace of God until we know peace with God.
(3) It is perfect in its constancy. It is permanent and not intermittent. The
This promise was given by God in the darkest period of Israel’s history, yet it will promise says, “You will keep ….” – compare Psalm 121:4.
be a great help to us now when we are surrounded by much gloom and
depression, constantly threatened with the three enemies of doubt, fear and 2. HOW DOES THIS PERFECT PEACE COME TO US?
worry. When all is going well it’s easy to read a promise like this in a superficial (1) By Christ Jesus. In Philippians 4:7 we read that the Lord Jesus Christ is the
way, but when disappointment and trial comes these words become precious. source from whom God’s peace flows into our souls. It is the possession of
There is no promise in the Bible to suggest that here on earth we shall ever the Christian alone; there is no peace for anyone who does not possess
experience freedom from trouble, war, trial, temptation, anguish, loss etc., but Christ and who is not resting on the finished work of Christ for salvation,
something far better is promised: it is the promise of perfect peace in the midst thereby “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross”. Read
of all these. Of what value would freedom from these troubles be if we had no Colossians 1:19-20.
(2) By the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ procured peace on the Cross of
inward peace? Yet it’s possible in the fiercest battle for the trusting soul to
Calvary and it is offered to us by Him as the source; but it is conveyed to our
experience a deep-down calm, an inward peace and a quiet confidence – look hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). As the Holy Spirit fills
up Isaiah 30:15. Do you long to experience perfect peace? and floods our lives, so He produces this fruit within us.
(3) By His Word. Have you ever noticed the great promise made in Psalm
1. NOTICE WHAT THIS BLESSING IS THAT IS OFFERED TO US 119:165? A better rendering of ‘stumble’ is ‘disturb’. How often things and
It is described as “perfect peace”, but can we define that? Yes, it is a condition people disturb us! But here is a promise of perfect peace to those people
of freedom from disturbance; it is perfect harmony reigning within us. The who love, meditate in and obey the Word of God.
Hebrew word ‘shalom’ has in it the idea of soundness of health, so that to be (4) By our obedience. Please look up Leviticus 26:3-6 and be sure to notice that
filled with perfect peace is to be spiritually healthy and free from discord within the most important word here is the word ‘If’’. God guarantees to us that if
our souls. There can be no room for jealousy, envy, uncontrolled temper, we will do our part He will surely do His part.
selfishness, pride, intolerance, harsh criticism, fear or anxiety in the soul that is (5) By plenty of prayer and praise. Notice that the promise of Philippians 4:7 is
filled with peace; all these things are disturbing factors in our hearts and preceded by the conditions mentioned in verse 6.
discordant notes. The peace which God offers and which by His grace we may
experience is very practical. It is a great calm which He commands (Mark 4:39). 3. TWO CONDITIONS MUST BE MET IF WE WOULD EXPERIENCE
God calls His peace “perfect peace”. In what sense is it perfect? PERFECT PEACE
Who will God keep in perfect peace? The one “whose mind is steadfast” and
(1) It is perfect in its quality. That is to say, it is perfect in the kind of peace it the one who “trusts”. Both these expressions denote faith but one is a head
is. There is an imperfect peace; there is the imperfect peace of word and the other is a heart word. What is the difference? With the head we
ignorance when we imagine that all is going well, whereas in fact all is believe that God is the author and giver of peace and that He is able and willing
not well (Jeremiah 6:14). There is the imperfect peace of stagnation. The to give it; and with the heart we trust Him to do it, so receive it by faith.
pool of water may be calm and peaceful but underneath it is foul and
green with slime. Many men and women know only a peace like that, Isaiah 26:3 begins with God and ends with God; it begins with “you” and ends
and one day the shock of God’s judgment will stir up their pool and they with “you”, and the trusting soul goes in between. Perfect peace is the Lord
will find that they have no real peace at all (Isaiah 57:14). Then there is Himself within us – not an experience, a doctrine, an ‘it’, a code of belief – but
the imperfect peace of dependence, which is a peace dependent upon the Lord Himself!
some thing or some person in this world. The ‘thing’ may fail, the WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
‘person’ may die – and where then is their peace? In contrast, God’s PO Box 334, EASTLEIGH, SO53 2UB, UK
peace is perfect. www.wordsoflife.co.uk

Study8 - Great Promises

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Study8 - Great Promises

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Study8 - Great Promises

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 59 (2) It is perfect in its quantity.

That is to say, the supply of it is sufficient and it

You might also like