The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

“Jesus Walking on Water” (oil painting by Yim Maukun) [link]

A Supernatural Peace

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Galatians 5:22, 23

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

These verses in Galatians tell us of the nine qualities of the “fruit” of the Spirit with peace being the third fruit.  Notice that there is mention of only “one fruit” of the Spirit with identified qualities therein.

Matthew 14:22-33

²²And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. ²³And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  ²⁴But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  ²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. ²⁶And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. ²⁷But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.  ²⁸And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. ²⁹And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. ³¹And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? ³²And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ³³Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

It’s the story of Jesus walking on the water.  This was a miracle with a message and God is illustrating to us, what real peace is in the midst of the storm.

The Statue of Liberty stands on the Island of New York Harbor.  France gave it to the U.S. in 1884, July 4, and is a token of the friendship between the two countries.  The right arm holds a great torch raised high in the air.  The left arm grasps a tablet which bears the date of the Declaration of Independence.  A crown with high spikes, like sun rays, is on the head.  At her feet and seldom seen is a broken chain.  This is a symbol of the bonds which chain a people struggling for their liberty.  At night, the torch gleams with powerful fluorescent lights.  It stands as a symbol of liberty shedding light upon the world.  It also serves as a lighthouse for ships.  In the crown of the statue are 25 windows.

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When Jesus Christ was facing the cross, He made out His Last Will and Testament and He mentioned you in His Will.  He left you His peace.

John 14:27 (Jesus speaking)

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.

This is supernatural peace that the world cannot take away.  This peace is not the absence of problems.  You’ll always have trials, burdens and heartaches while you’re here on earth.

In Matthew 14 is the story of Jesus walking on water.  This was a miracle with a message and God is illustrating to us what real peace is,  peace in the midst of your storm.  Nothing that has been done to acquire peace in this world has been accomplished.  It all falls short of the goal.

The United Nations, the Peace Corps, we can’t seem to get it done! You see, it’s not the problem with the Nation; the problem is the problem with nature, the human nature of man’s heart, the heart of man separated from God. As long as that nature remains untouched and unchanged, there will never be peace.

You might say you are not in a storm and everything’s fine, but sooner or later you’re going to be in a storm.  Peace is the addition of available power with Christ, during the storms of life.

Jesus had told them to get into the ship.  Now they were not out of the will of God; they were in the will of God.  Jesus Christ providentially led them into a storm so don’t think that if you’re in the will of God that you’ll not be in any storms. Jesus knew that storm was coming.  He created the waters.  Jesus knows all things except when He’s coming back. He told us in the Bible that only God, His Father, knows that day and hour Jesus is coming for His Bride, the Church, the redeemed of God.

Be ready!

Psalm 148:8

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

God’s purpose brought the disciples into the storm for a reason.  God never makes a mistake.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

He is interceding for you, praying for you in the midst of your storm.

Mark 6:47, 48

⁴⁷And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. ⁴⁸And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

Here they are; they’re afraid but Jesus had His eyes on them and He was entreating the Father on their behalf.  In your storm I want to remind you the Bible teaches that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for you. That’s so wonderful! His prayers are always answered.

John 11:42 (Jesus speaking)

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

He is in Heaven interceding for you and me, entreating the Father on our behalf.  He has His eyes upon us.  “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

These words from a familiar song offer truth and comfort!

Jesus Christ will be real to you in the storm of your life.  That storm experienced by the disciples was just a super-highway that brought Him to them.  The very sea that they thought was going to drown them was the very thing that brought Him to them.  He also comes to us in the midst of our storms.  You may not recognize Him but if you’re a child of God, He is there.

Isaiah 43:1-3

¹But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. ²When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ³For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Remember the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace?  The King said, “Didn’t we put three men in the furnace?  I see four and one is like the Son of God.”

He was in the lions’ den with Daniel.  He was with the disciples in the upper room.  They were there after the resurrection and they were trembling behind closed doors and the Bible says that Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be unto you.”

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

What we need to do in our storms is put our eyes on Jesus.  If we take them off of Jesus, we, too, like Peter will “begin to sink.”

Roman 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

At first, when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the stormy water, they were afraid and Jesus said to them, “Be not afraid.  It is I.”  Comfort here means that He will comfort His children, the redeemed, with spiritual strength to believe His word(s).   His power sustains.

Why did Jesus let them be in this storm?  He is teaching one of the most glorious spiritual lessons you will ever learn.   It is to let you know that He will give you power to sustain you in your storm.  Jesus was showing them that the very waves that they thought would drown them, Jesus was walking on them.  He had those waves under His feet.  He was showing them that what they thought would be over their heads was under His feet.

John 16:33 (Jesus speaking)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Ephesians 1:22

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Our problems are not a problem to God.

The Will of God will never take me where the Grace of God cannot keep me.  There is that providence: His purpose brought me here.

His prayers protect me here.  There’s that assurance.  His presence comes to me and there’s that comfort.  His power sustains me here and when Peter said, “Lord, let me come to You,” he was saying Lord, let Your victory be my victory.

The last letter in the word “peace” is the letter E and it stands for expectation. His promise assures me here that I can expect Him to keep His Word.

Matthew 14:30

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Have you ever been there?  I have.  It seemed the enemy came like a flood.

Matthew 14:31-34

³¹And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? ³²And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. ³³Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.  ³⁴And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

Notice.  They did not go under; they went over.  Why?… because Jesus commanded them to go over.  Behind every command of God is the promise of God.  You see, they didn’t need to understand how God would take care of the situation.

The Christian does not live by explanations; we live by promises.  If God explained everything to us, we wouldn’t be able to understand it because His ways are not our ways.  His thoughts are not our thoughts.

You can always expect God to keep His promises and see you through your every need.  God is willing to assume full responsibility of a life totally committed to Him.  The Bible says the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delighteth in His way.

Psalm 37:23, 24

²³The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. ²⁴Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

God is good!  God keeps His Word!