Given by Dr. Raymond Knapp, Th.B, D.D

Peace that is from God.
What is it?
How do we get it?
Why should we want this kind of peace?

PEACE A word with several different meanings in the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament meaning of peace was completeness, soundness, and well being of the total person. This peace was considered God-given, obtained by following the Law.

Ps 119:165 Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Peace sometimes had a physical meaning, suggesting security.
Ps. 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Contentment
Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Prosperity
Ps 122:6-7 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces." (NKJV)

Also by the absence of war
1 Sam 7:14 Then the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered its territory from the hands of the Philistines. Also there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

The traditional Jewish greeting, shalom, was a wish for peace.
In the New Testament, peace often refers to the inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ. This understanding was originally expressed in the Old Testament writings about the coming MESSIAH:
Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The peace that Jesus Christ spoke of was a combination of hope, trust, and quiet in the mind and soul, brought about by reconciliation with God. The host of angels proclaimed such peace at Christ's birth:
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Then by Christ Himself in His SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

During His ministry He also taught about this kind of peace at the Lord's Supper, shortly before His death:
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The apostle Paul later wrote that such peace and spiritual blessedness was a direct result of faith in Christ:
Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

What our walk and words should be daily, to have peace and righteousness:
Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Ps 17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Evil people will be punished, those who obey God will be blessed and have peace.
Ps 37:1-81 Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret-- it only causes harm.

Jesus is the Son our hope also He is the Mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace:
Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Things we need to do to have God's peace.
Isa 12:1-6 And in that day you will say: "O LORD, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; he also has become my salvation.'" 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day you will say: "Praise the LORD, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. 5 Sing to the LORD, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!"

Everlasting eternal peace.
John 14:27-29 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 "You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. 29 "And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.

God to rule our hearts.
Col 3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

God's Blessings