PEACE ALWAYS BY ALL MEANS

In 2 Thessalonians 3:16, scripture says 

"Now the Lord of peace himself shall give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all". 

The essence of divine health is peace. You don't know the value of peace until you are troubled in your soul or afflicted in your body. When God says in 3 John 2, 

"Beloved I wish above all things that you mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth". 

What he is saying here is that "above all things, I want peace for you, or simple put, I want peace always by all means for you". Therefore God wants peace by all means for you. 

What is peace?

Peace is being in a state of rest, with nothing troubling or afflicting you in your spirit, soul and body - it is that thing you have when things are working as desired in all the three realms of your life. When you have peace in your body, it means no disease, sickness or pains of any kind can ravage your body. And when you have peace in your soul, it means you don't have any issue troubling your heart, nothing is grieving you or making you to be sad or sorrowful. When you have peace in your spirit, it means you are in tune with God, you have good relationship with him and hence the adversary can not touch you, anyway his arrows can't reach you. Peace is the only goal and desire of everyone that is spiritually, mentally or body sick.

What Takes Peace Away From People's Lives?

In Psalm 34:4, scripture says, 

"I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears".

 Another meaning of peace is "deliverance from all fears", when your fear is taken away from you, peace is restored. There are quite a lot of things people fear these days, that robs them of their peace. For instance, some have the fear of being put to shame over an issue, others fear disappointment, some fear failure in business, project, examination etc. Some are afraid of their evil deeds being discovered or revealed, while some others are hunted by the fear of the "Unknown".

Many people have fear of how to settle debts, and bills of all kinds - school fees, rent, hospital bill etc. Some peoples fear is "what shall we eat in the remaining days of the week or month" etc. Most of these fears afflict the soul, they bring sadness, sorrow and grief, and hence takes peoples peace away. Whatever your fear is, cast it unto the LORD, because he cares for you, and when you do every one of it will be converted to peace by all means for you.

The Sources of Peace And Providers of Peace

The greatest source of peace is JESUS. In fact he is called the prince of peace. In Isaiah 9:6-7, scripture says 

"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, councilor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end...". 

We are in a kingdom whose peace increase endlessly. As long Jesus, the head of this kingdom rules in your life, peace must rule in your life. As long as Jesus rules in your home, peace must rule, wherever Jesus takes pre-eminence, peace characterizes such a place. God provides us this peace in Jesus through redemption, so we have a peace-pact with God in the redemptive work of Christ. In Isaiah 53:5 scripture says, 

"He (JESUS) was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his strips we are healed". 

The redemption is packaged in the gospel,  when we believe and receive, we enjoy the peace it carries. In Romans 10:15 scripture says, 

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things". 

It is the gospel that carries peace to them that receives it.

What Does It Take To Enjoy This Peace?

Yes, it has been provided for us, but you don't enjoy it automatically, you have your role to play.

**Firstly you must be in Christ: You must believe and receive the gospel that makes you to be in Christ. In 1 Peter 5:14b, scripture says 

"...peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus". 

Not those that are in the Church, but they that are in Christ Jesus; so you must be born again to enjoy the peace of Jesus.

** Righteousness must be your choice: In Isaiah 32:17-18 scripture says, 

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever; And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places". 

Peace is a bye product of righteousness; it is the resultant effect of righteousness. In fact, the LORD says there is no peace for the wicked - Isaiah 48:22, scripture also says, 

"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of the man is peace" - Psalm 37:37. 

**Seek Knowledge: Peace is also a bye product of knowledge. The more of God you know, the more your peace increase.  In 2 Peter 1:2, we are told 

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord". 

**Learn to cast your burdens and anxieties upon the Lord in faith: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" - 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 37:5,5, John 14:1,27.

**Call on the Lord in prayer for peace: Anything that calls for concern only calls for prayer. The Psalmist says, 

"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears"-Psalm 34:4, Philippians 4:6-7.

**Sow the seed of peace: Always seek the peace of others - Hebrews 12:14. As you give yourself to doing these things peace always by all means be your portion.

Shalom.