2 Thessalonians 3:16 The Message
16 May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
From the dawn of mankind, there is probably nothing more sought after in this world perpetually at war with something and or someone, than genuine peace.
Throughout history, too many nations have fought bitter wars for the sake of peace and too many innocent lives have been lost in a vain pursuit after peace.
But the peace that is offered by this world’s system, is a false, fragile, imperfect, pseudo-peace, leaves in its wake a hungry heart, a wounded disappointed soul.
We look at the pages of God’s Scriptures – the God of Peace started to unveil Himself as, “The Lord our Peace”, to the frightened Gideon, and He expanded man’s understanding of peace to David the shepherd-king, who discovered Him to be the One Who gently leads us to meadows beside still and peaceful waters.
And God’s much loved, often preached, Messianic promise of “a coming child” through Isaiah that encourages the hearts, minds, souls of countless believers.
Isaiah 9:6 King James Version
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7 King James Version
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
It is the zeal of the Lord of Hosts performing this miraculous moment of Peace.
And God’s promise through Isaiah of the coming of an endless peace through that child has truly encouraged the hearts of countless generations of believers.
Isaiah 26:3 King James Version
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
By the indescribable zeal of God, it was to be the shed blood of His Son, Jesus the holy Lamb of God, that great Shepherd of the sheep, Who was sent into the world by the Father, so that ultimately, fallen man could have peace with God.
God purposed that through the intervention of the Son, all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, and so He sent the life blood of Jesus to bring about final peace with men, who were dead in their trespasses and sins.
It was Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, Who knocked down the middle wall of partition between God and man.
He tore the curtain of separation from top to bottom, so that we, who believe on Him, may be comforted by our great God of peace.
He inaugurated for us a new and living way through the veil of His physical body, when He died on the cross and rose again, the third day.
It was the heavenly Man, Who equipped us in every good thing to do His will.
And in the fullness of time, God sent the Prince of Peace to be born of a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem, as the sacrifice for the sin of mankind.
He came in dishonor and shame, so that at the appointed time He would be the One whose name would be highly exalted above all others as the Lord of Peace, crowned the King of Peace, for He is the God of peace, the wellspring of peace.
The Experience of His Peace
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Easy-to-Read Version
Final Words
16 We pray that the Lord of peace will give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.
One of the most heavenly aspects of experiencing God is his abounding peace.
Abounding Peace is not ever going to be something this world can offer us.
This world is run on chaos, division, political correctness, racial, gender stress, ideological confusions, strivings, and frivolous pursuits with no satisfaction.
Even in this life, the zeal of God offers us the peace of heaven, the peace that comes from having our hearts wrapped up in One true relationship with him.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God zealously exchanges our thoroughly confused earthly cares and stresses for the ultimate revelation of His – Alpha to Omega – heavenly, sustaining peace.
By His zealous compassion for His Children, He is such a good Father to us that He takes all that which troubles our hearts, promises to take care of us down to the smallest burden, and offers us His incomprehensible peace from his Spirit.
Jesus says in John 16:33,
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
When we seek relationship with Jesus we are seeking relationship with the One who conquered death, destroyed any and every scheme of the enemy against us.
To know Him as zealously as He knows every single one of us, is to know a true Conqueror -and in zealously knowing Him our lives become wrapped up in His.
Our worried and fearful hearts instead become wrapped up in his heart of peace.
Again, Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
God longs for us to so encounter his trustworthiness that our lives are marked by his peace – He longs for us to so trust him that this world cannot rob us of the peace that comes from knowing our God will always prove himself faithful.
All God has promised to do he will do.
All God has said of Himself He truly is.
Peace comes from our zealously keeping our entire mind stayed on the perfect character of our heavenly Father and zealously letting only who He is be at the exact center, Him who is the genuine foundation of all we do, think, and feel.
Psalm 104:1-9 Easy-to-Read Version
104 My soul, praise the Lord!
Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with glory and honor.
2 You wear light like a robe.
You spread out the skies like a curtain.
3 You built your home above them.[a]
You use the thick clouds like a chariot
and ride across the sky on the wings of the wind.
4 You make the winds your messengers
and flames of fire your servants.[b]
5 You built the earth on its foundations,
so it can never be moved.
6 You covered it with water like a blanket.
The water covered even the mountains.
7 But you gave the command, and the water turned back.
You shouted at the water, and it rushed away.
8 The water flowed down from the mountains into the valleys,
to the places you made for it.
9 You set the limits for the seas,
and the water will never again rise to cover the earth.
God has heavenly peace in store for you today.
The peace which God offers you and me is not ever going to be the “peace” of this world which will never assure us or sustain us through any of its troubles.
It is always and forever going to be the greatest possible expression of peace, the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which sustains us (John 14:27).
John 14:25-27 The Message
25-27 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
Ergo, Come before your loving heavenly Father and cast your cares upon Him.
Let your requests be made known to Him.
Place your trust in His trustworthiness.
And receive the perfect, sustaining peace of your loving Father.
2 Thessalonians 3:16Amplified Bible
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance,” was Paul’s prayer and blessing for the Thessalonian believers, as he prepared to draw his letter to a close, “May the Lord be with you all!”
Like Christians today, the believers at Thessalonica were living in tough, and turbulent times, and the apostle that the church needed the Author of peace to guide His people, sustain their spirits, and grant His perfect peace from above.
It was the Prince of Peace Himself that promised to leave His own perfect peace with His confused disciples.
“Peace I leave with you”, were the reassuring words He spoke to them, as the shadow of the cross loomed closer.
“My peace I give to you. Not the peace the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
And this same assurance is given to all God’s children who are seeking to serve the Lord of Peace, as we live inside a world at war and a world without hope.
In His final days, Christ gave His disciples His own precious promise of peace.
But His peace is not the war-torn peace of this world, but inner peace, a perfect peace – a peace that is vastly uncountable echelons beyond our understanding.
Jesus promised to give us the peace of God to guard our hearts – a peace that brings comfort and rest, refreshment, and hope – a perfect inner peace that transcends humanity’s comprehension – both now and literally forevermore.
Now, may the Lord of peace Himself give YOU peace at all times, and in all ways.
May the peace of the Lord be with us all, now and forever, and may the perfect peace of God zealously rule in our hearts, in the perfect unity of the Holy Spirit.
In this coming season of Advent, when we eagerly anticipate His coming, may life be marked by the fruit of wholehearted relationship with the God of peace.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Guided Prayer:
1. Meditate on the peace available to you in relationship with God.
Allow Scripture to help you not settle for stress, burdens, and cares that aren’t your portion in Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6-7 English Standard Version
6 For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder,
and his name shall be called[b]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33
2. What has been causing you stress?
What’s been stealing your peace? What thoughts, people, situations, fears, or spiritual attacks do you need to bring before your loving heavenly Father?
3. “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you”(1 Peter 5:6-7).
Take time to bring before God all that’s bothering you.
Lay all your anxieties at His feet, choose to trust He will take care of them and help you through them, and receive His peace that surpasses all understanding.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 8:6 says, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
We have the choice moment by moment to set our minds on the things of this world or on the things of God.
When we choose to set our minds on the Spirit, we are positioning ourselves to be people marked by the fruit of his presence in our lives.
When we choose the world we are only setting ourselves up for failure, anxiety, and trouble.
Choose today to set your mind on the Lord in every situation.
The things of this world are fleeting, but our God spans throughout the farthest reaches of eternity.
May His power, His zealousness, faithfulness, nearness, bring you peace today!
Heavenly Father, I praise You with all my heart, for Your indwelling Spirit of Peace. This hurting world has lost its way in its vain pursuit of a pseudo-peace, that can never satisfy. O how I long for the world to realize, it is only Your perfect peace that can satisfy. May I shed Your peace in my life, to all I come into contact with. May the peace of God, which passes all human understanding, guard and govern our hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus our Lord and for His greater glory. AMEN! AMEN!
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 