Abundant Peace

“Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.” –Psalm 119:165

How does a Christian avoid stumbling? By enjoying abundant peace. How does a Christian enjoy abundant peace? By loving God’s Word. Not perfectly keeping, but loving the Law of the Lord. The instruction of the Word of the Lord is received with affection because the Christian loves the Lord who instructs. He is teaching us and transforming us by through His Word, which is received with love.

Our abundant peace is not given by absence of troubles, but a love for His Word through troubles. We do not have abundant peace in us to match the height of troubles in this life.

After a long road trip, there is a calm when the engine is shut down and the loud sound of the tires pressing a heavy car forward while rubbing the pavement ceases. Calm moments are refreshing, but this is not the definition of peace. Peace remains in motion, stays even in the height of noise. God in His kindness gives us pauses of calm to soothe His children along the hard, narrow way. But this is not to be confused with peace.

The abundant peace enjoyed by the lover of God’s Word is a peace received. His peace surpasses understanding. A peace which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). A peace which keeps us from stumbling.

In our modern cultural economy prospering in anger and hostility, the Christian’s peace is a priceless treasure. The lover of God’s Word is a speaker of God’s Word as truth, which in our modern hostile age is not for the weak and scared. Our strength to speak in face of a hostile world is abundant peace.

Abundant peace is enjoyed by those being taught by the Word of the Lord to be Christ-like, not as hearers of the Word only, but doers of the Word.

In a hostile world which seeks to divide, the lover of God’s Word is a blessed peacemaker. Those who enjoy abundant peace make peace knowing we are called children of God.

Abundant peace is enjoyed as we learn to be content with plenty or lack. When troubles grow deeper, there is a deeper grace for the lover of God’s Word. Peace, and peace abundant.

The worldly heart only finds peace when everything goes their way and there is no battle to be fought. Abundant peace is found on the serene face of a general overlooking a battle. Peace is enjoyed in the heart when a parent must intervene in their children fighting. Peace is enjoyed when trials come. Peace is a comfort in grief and sorrow. The abundant peace is an ever-flowing spring to drink as we must travel through this thirsty land.

The Christian enjoys abundant peace and is kept from stumbling, but not in isolation. The Holy Spirit provides the bond of peace in the local church, and the Christian’s love for brothers and sisters in Christ abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling inside of him (I John 2:10). Remaining love for fellow Christians aids in our walk with the Lord without stumbling.

The lover of God’s Word enjoying abundant peace and loves the saints is wise, his ways pleasant, and his path is peace (Proverbs 3:17).

Wisdom looks to God, the Giver of every perfect and precious gift, and asks for this abundant peace with a love for His Word. We enjoy abundant peace, our hearts and minds are guarded in Christ by His peace, and we make peace as children of God.

Heavenly Father, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, give us a high affection for Your Word, and bless us with abundant peace. We ask as Your children, called blessed peacemakers. Be glorified in the calm of the hearts of Your children in every season and in our gospel proclamation to a perishing world. We receive Your mercies by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.