(solemn piano music)

- We have all faced itat one time or another,

worry,

anxiety,

anguish

and deep within us, we long for peace.

We long for true peace.

But how can we get it?

Is it even possible to walk in peace?

In his letter to thePhilippians, Paul is writing

to followers of Jesus and hetells them these bold words,

"Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything, by prayer and petition

with thanksgiving, tell God your requests

and the peace of God whichsurpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts andminds in Christ Jesus."

This is a man who has been flogged,

who has been beaten with rods.

He's been stoned, he's been shipwrecked,

he's been in cells, he'sbeen traveling all over

in trials and tribulations.

And yet, Paul has the audacityto tell them that he has

experienced a peace thatsurpasses all understanding.

How can we get this peace?

What is the nature of this peace?

Hundreds of years beforePaul wrote these words,

the prophet Isaiah declaredthis incredible truth

about the Messiah.

And he said in Isaiah chapter nine

that one of the namesof the Messiah would be

the Prince of Peace.

You see, in the originalHebrew, the word peace

is so much layered and deep in meaning.

The word is shalom, and shalom is not just

the absence of something,the absence of conflict.

Shalom is the presence of something.

It's the presence of someone.

See, Shalom means a flourishing wholeness,

a restoration of things.

Where something isbroken, it gets repaired

and put back together.

Where things have beenalienated and set apart,

they're brought together in reconcile.

Where there is death,life comes back again.

And Isaiah says that theMessiah, the Prince of Shalom,

of His rule and authority, there will be

no end to His peace, to His shalom.

This prophecy is beautifully fulfilled.

In John chapter 14, wesee Jesus the teacher,

He's speaking to His disciples.

And He's telling them do not be anxious,

do not let your hearts be troubled,

but trust in God, trust also in Me.

And He says that tothose who believe in Him,

who love and who obey His commands,

the Father will send someone

in the representation ofJesus, the Holy Spirit.

And Jesus says, "Hewill be with you forever

"and He will remind you of everything

"that I have spoken to you."

Right after saying those words,

Jesus says a marvelous reality.

He says a marvelous truth.

He says, "My peace I leave with you."

Not as the world gives, Ileave My peace with you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Do not be afraid.

And you see, Jesus issaying in the context

of John chapter 14 thatHe is the Prince of Peace

and that peace is not justthe absence of conflict.

Peace is not a lofty ideal.

Peace is not just a virtue.

What Jesus is saying is that peace is

the presence of the living God.

Peace is the presenceof the Prince of Shalom.

So I don't know what you're going through.

I don't know what storms have crashed

upon the shore of your life.

I don't know what tribulations

and trials you may be facing.

But I do know this, thatthe Prince of Shalom,

the one Who brings order and justice,

and joy and peace to your life,

the one Who brings allthings back together

and reconciles you to God,

Jesus, He is with you.

He is good.

And He asks you today totrust in Him, to look at Him,

that He is bringing wholeness to your life

wherever you are if you trust in Him.