Peace, believers' experience of

Peace is the birthright of every believer in all circumstances. It is found only in God and is maintained through having a close relationship with him.

Peace for believers in differing situations

In times of sickness, pressure and hardships

Psalm 41:1–3; Matthew 11:28 See also Job 1:13–22, Job 2:7–10; Acts 16:22–25; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; 2 Timothy 4:16–18

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble. The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to give him over to the will of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

In times of death and grief

John 14:1–3 See also Job 19:25–26; 2 Kings 22:18–20; Isaiah 57:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

The effects of peace for believers

Forgiveness

Acts 7:60 See also Romans 12:17–19

Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Encouragement

2 Corinthians 1:3–6 See also Philippians 4:11–13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.

Health and healing

Proverbs 14:30 See also Isaiah 57:18–19

A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Security

Proverbs 1:33 See also Acts 27:21–26; Romans 8:28, Romans 8:35–39

But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”

Hope

Romans 15:13 See also Romans 5:1–5

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How believers maintain peace

Through remaining in Christ

John 15:4–7 See also John 16:33; Romans 5:1–5

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Through living by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:6 See also Romans 14:17–19; Galatians 5:22

The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,

Through obedience to God's word

Joshua 1:8–9 See also Psalm 119:165–167

This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Through prayer and meditation

Philippians 4:6–9 See also Psalm 1:1–3; Isaiah 26:3; 1 Timothy 2:1–2

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Final peace in death for believers

Isaiah 57:2; Revelation 14:13 See also 2 Kings 22:19–20; Luke 2:29

Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest, lying down in death.

And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead — those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”

Hope of future peace for believers

Peace in heaven

1 Peter 1:4 See also John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14; Revelation 7:9–17

and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

Peace in God's new creation

Revelation 21:1–4 See also Isaiah 11:6–9; Romans 8:18–23; Revelation 22:3–5

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”