And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7
Something is described as transcendent when it is experienced beyond the normal or physical level. The term used in today’s verse, according to Noah Webster’s Dictionary, means “not comparable, without peer or equal, matchless.” When Paul says the peace of God surpasses all understanding, he is saying it is transcendent. A paper published by Grand Canyon University declared, “God’s transcendence means that he is other and outside of human comprehension. Although Jesus dwelt among humanity, the Triune God is bigger, greater, and more wonderful than anything that human beings can fully wrap their minds around.” So it is with the peace of God.
Frances Ridley Havergal was a 19th-century British poet and hymnwriter. During one of her travels, she became quite ill. Feverish, shivering, and bedridden, she was diagnosed with typhoid fever. For a time, she hovered between life and death, while family and friends prayed fervently. The Lord restored her to a measure of health. She would later explain in a letter to her sister that during her illness, “My one wish was to glorify God and to let my doctor and nurse see it.” In the midst of her terrible sickness, she dictated the hymn “Like a River Glorious.” It proclaims the peace she felt, even in the face of her possible demise. The hymn’s chorus provides her reason: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”
God promises, in Isaiah 26:3, that “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” In his commentary on Philippians, theologian John Eadie says the peace of God is personal and absolute. “This peace is but another name for happiness, for it is beyond the reach of disturbance. Come what will, it cannot injure—come when it likes, it is welcome—and come as it may, it is blessing in disguise.” Let this supernatural, transcendent peace permeate your life today, no matter your circumstances. Like Frances, keep your mind stayed on Christ, and God’s own tranquility will guard your heart.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
