Peace I Give To You

Two Very Different Kinds Of Peace

Worldly Peace

Peace as defined by the world we live in depends on circumstances, money, health, and headlines. We tend to say we are at peace when we go on a vacation, or entertain ourselves with music or movies, or have enough savings to pay all our bills and provide for our families. Such peace MUST be achieved by control and self-effort. And it is temporary because it only lasts until the next storm hits.

Jesus’ Peace

When Jesus said, My peace I give to you, it was His peace that He gave to us. Not as the world gives. His peace flows from Christ’s unchanging presence. His peace is enduring and surpasses all human understanding (Phil 4:7). His peace when given by Him is guarded by God Himself. His peace grows stronger in the midst of storms. When Jesus says, “Peace I give to you,” He is contrasting His supernatural gift with the fragile calm the world offers. His peace is not the absence of trouble; it’s the presence of Christ in the middle of trouble.

A Mud-House Church That Re-defined Prosperity

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Nepal and visit a small house church. There were a few adult men and women among the group of believers who met regularly in a small mud house. The walls, the flooring, and the stairs leading to a mezzanine floor, all were made of mud and clay protected by a thatched roof. There were holes in the ground that served as a stove for cooking with firewood. The drive to this small house church was equally basic, with just a dirt path that served as a road. There were many similar looking houses on either side of the road.

Having lived in a western developed country for most of my life, several thoughts crossed my mind as we drove, which I directed towards the Lord in quiet prayer. All I could see was hardship and poverty. I was imagining the hardship they would have in making ends meet, sending children to school, travelling without a dependable public transport, and being unable to afford the basic comforts of life. I wondered, under such circumstances, why would anyone be interested in a “gospel” message. They would be working hard to overcome poverty so that their children could have better lives. I was amazed as to how anyone paid attention to the gospel and got saved here and even planted a church where they worshipped regularly. I was full of compassion and love for the people, but also burdened by my helplessness to do anything significant to help them. I was eager to meet with them and see what this church looked like. I expected to see a group of believers who would be needy and sad, hoping that their new found faith would work a miracle for them. I was a bit skeptical wondering if they would continue in their faith for long.

As we entered the little mud house and sat down, the group of believers began to clap hands and sing praises to the Lord. A woman was leading the worship. They were jubilant in their worship. After a couple of songs, this same woman from a previously Hindu faith spoke up from among the group of believers. She said that she had never experienced such peace in her life after having received Christ. She said, she had absolutely no need for anything else in life since she has Christ. She had found the most precious pearl of all and was happy, content, and satisfied in life with no needs at all. She emphasized that everything she could ever want was in Christ. She was finding it hard to stop praising our Lord Jesus. She was full of joy and peace.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I had got it all wrong. God had opened my eyes. True peace comes from knowing Christ and peace is not in the abundance of possessions.

Scripture’s Definition of Peace

Luke 12:15 – Life is not measured by how much you own.

1 Timothy 6 : 6-7 – “Godliness with contentment is great wealth… we brought nothing in; we take nothing out.”

Paul echoed the same lesson, because he had learnt, received, and experienced that peace from Jesus.

What I thought was poverty was not poverty at all. What I thought was prosperity was not prosperity at all. That woman wasn’t poor at all. She was full of peace. She was content, satisfied, and full of life. She had Christ Himself. She was prosperous.

Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to be generous with what you have. Let our prayers not be saturated with our needs and wants to make our lives more comfortable, but let our prayers be a cry from our heart for more of Christ in us. Let our primary desire be to walk in communion with our Lord Jesus Christ every moment of our lives, so that we may experience His peace at all times and in all situations.

Philippians 4:12 – I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Paul had also found the source of his peace and contentment. It is in Christ alone. Just like that woman said, “If we have Christ, we have everything”.

How to Receive and Walk in the Peace Jesus Gives

1. Abide in Christ daily – Peace is a Person, not a feeling.
2. Treasure His words – Read, meditate, and declare them aloud.
3. Cast every care – Prayer turns anxieties into petitions (1 Peter 5 : 7).
4. Practice gratitude – Thankfulness shifts focus from lack to provision.
5. Stay generous – Giving breaks fear of scarcity and proves God’s sufficiency.

A Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, You said, “Peace I give to you.” I confess I’ve chased the world’s substitutes—comfort, control, and possessions. Forgive my unbelief. Flood my heart with Your peace that cannot be shaken. Teach me, like Paul and my Nepali sister, to be content in every season because I have You—therefore I have everything. Amen.”

True peace is not found in the abundance of possessions but in the presence of Christ. Choose to live by His definition of prosperity. When you own the promise “Peace I give to you,” no circumstance can steal your calm, because the Prince of Peace Himself lives within you.