29 “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.
30 “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;
31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.” John 14:27-31.
—————————–
What is this peace?
Peace can mean a lot of different things to different individuals. Peace can mean just the absence of war or strife. Peace can mean just the emptying of cares or even the emptying of self. But, peace can mean more.
Calvin in His Commentary on verse 27 states: “By the word peace he means prosperity, which men are wont to wish for each other when they meet or part; for such is the import of the word peace in the Hebrew language. …” This commentary was very thought-provoking. I started to search through Scripture and was amazed at this connection between peace and prosperity.
Here are some verses that I discovered showing this connection between peace and prosperity:
“The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11. When I clicked the footnote over the word peace, it led me to Psalm 37:11: “But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”
“6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
7 “May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.” Psalm 122:6-7.
“1 How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children
Peace be upon Israel!” Psalm Chapter 128.
Psalm 147:14
“He makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.”
“13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.” Proverbs 3:13-18.
Proverbs 16:7
“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Song of Solomon 8:10
“I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace.”
“15 Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high,
And the wilderness becomes a fertile field,
And the fertile field is considered as a forest.
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness
And righteousness will abide in the fertile field.
17 And the work of righteousness will be peace,
And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
18 Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation,
And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places;” Isaiah 32:15-18.
“10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you,
And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,”
Says the LORD who has compassion on you.
11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.
12 “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,
And your gates of crystal,
And your entire wall of precious stones.
13 “All your sons will be taught of the LORD;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.
14 “In righteousness you will be established;
You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;
And from terror, for it will not come near you.
15 “If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me.
Whoever assails you will fall because of you.
16 “Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals
And brings out a weapon for its work;
And I have created the destroyer to ruin.
17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:10-17.
“12 For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river,
And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.
13 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 Then you will see this, and your heart will be glad,
And your bones will flourish like the new grass;
And the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants,
But He will be indignant toward His enemies.” Isaiah 66:12-14.
How delightful to read these Scriptures about the abundant prosperity of peace. But, there are warnings!
Isaiah 57:21
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
“8 I will hear what God the LORD will say;
For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;
But let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth springs from the earth,
And righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 Indeed, the LORD will give what is good,
And our land will yield its produce.
13 Righteousness will go before Him
And will make His footsteps into a way.” Psalm 85:8-13.
In conclusion, the foregoing Psalm 85:8-13 is a good summary. Yes, peace brings abundant prosperity. “But let them not turn back to folly.” Peace and righteousness should go hand-in-hand. They kiss each other. In other words, peace should produce righteousness, and righteousness should produce peace.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 