DIVINE UPGRADE - PART 4

FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2023

Today I'm grateful because I'll bring this topic to an end as I conspicuously introduce the reign of peace and perfect well being in a way that influences our internal and spiritual character, not just the external side, or to put it better, the outside view of peace in our world.

Reference : Isaiah 60:17 New International Version (NIV) "Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler."

The last segment we find in the above Scripture are:

"I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler."

Peace is everything that guarantees rest of mind. The Greek Grammar for peace is Eirene. In the Greek word study, it is noted as a sense of inner rest and hearty concord. The peace of God ensures a calmer and a joyful world, because his reign is set up over our hearts. To that effect, Pauline epistolary dictates reads, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful" (Colossians 3:15 NLT).

In the Hebrew word study, peace is known as shalom, and it denotes a state of absolute tranquillity, security and blessing. It is also the absence of enmity between a man and the Almighty God due to the manifestation of His grace that has brought salvation to that man. To instantiate this, Romans 5:1-2 reads, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God" (NIV).

Coming back to the last segment which says, "I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler", I want to circle the word "Governor" in my mind. Why? The right to govern is ascribed to peace which denotes its dominion, power and authority. It's government is just, serene and pacific in operation. Then well being, which includes sound mind, denotes "inner strength and mental sufficiency" for the rulership.

Where there is absence of peace, there is lack of harmony, unanimity and unity. Peace is contrary to misunderstanding, discord, disagreement, violence, ruin or destruction. To establish the presence of peace, God assured the next versified statement numbered as Isaiah 60:18, and it reads, "No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise" (NIV).

When your wall is salvation, it means that you have made peace with God, which denotes a state of harmonious reconciliation with Him. To that effect, Acts 10:36 says, "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of PEACE through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all" (NIV). When your gate is characterized by praise, it means that paean is continually on your lips, which denotes a state of consistent gratitude to God.

This peace is not limited to reigning in one's Christian life, home and world, because it also implies that God can make it the governor of a state, country or nation, with a ruling influence from a state of adequate well being. By this I mean that God makes a good governance happen by placing peace in a position of authority, that is, to become the governor and "well being" to rule. For instance, Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan" (NLT).

One of the outstanding reasons people rejoice when the godly governs the affairs of a nation is that peace will also reign with him. There are several nations and state of leadership where the government is occupied by peace and thus, they are having a peaceful reign. Moreover, peace is manifested as a better office when those who actively have the life and Spirit of God are in authority. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 16:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27.

Exuberant Declaration: I'm full of thanksgiving because the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards my heart and reigns in me forever. Praise God!