It is well with my soul

 What a beautiful, peaceful photo from Tampa Bay resident Frank Delargy Photography, who captured the Milky Way from Hot Creek in California!

I felt led to do a word study of the word “peace” from Ephesians 1:1-2…

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Amplified: Paul, an apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), by the divine will (the purpose and the choice of God) to the saints (the consecrated, set-apart ones) at Ephesus who are also faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus: May grace (God’s unmerited favor) and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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NLT: This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

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Phillips: Paul, messenger of Jesus Christ by God’s choice, to all faithful Christians at Ephesus (and other places where this letter is read): grace and peace be to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Wuest: Paul, an ambassador of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints, the ones who are [in Ephesus], namely, believing ones in Christ Jesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Young’s Literal: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

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Peace (eirene from the verb eiro) literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided; it conveys the idea of setting at one again. Eirene is the tranquility which results in the joining together again those who were separated, such as a sinner and a holy God through the blood of Christ..

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Eirene also conveys the sense of an inner rest, well-being, and harmony. The ultimate peace is the state of reconciliation with God, effected by placing one's faith in the gospel.

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Eirene is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies or inwardly, as in the current context, within the soul. Eirene implies health, well-being, and prosperity. Christ Jesus through the blood of His Cross binds together that which was separated by human sin when the sinner puts his or her faith in Christ Jesus the Lord.

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Eirene is the root word for our English word "serene" (serenity) which means clear and free of storms or unpleasant change, stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility. In secular Greek, eirene referred to cessation or absence of war. Eirene is also the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew shalom, a word which speaks of spiritual prosperity. 

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Greek scholar Kenneth S. Wuest states, "By His (Messiah's) death, (Jesus) satisfied the just demands of the law which we broke, thus making it possible for a righteous and holy God to bestow mercy upon a believing sinner and do so without violating His justice. Our Lord thus bound together again the believing sinner and God (in an indissoluble, living union), thus making peace. There is therefore a state of untroubled, undisturbed wellbeing for the sinner who places his faith in the Savior. The law of God has nothing against him, and he can look up into the Father’s face unafraid and unashamed. This is justifying peace."

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Theologian Charles Spurgeon said, "I find myself frequently depressed—perhaps more so than any other person here. And I find no better cure for that depression than to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and seek to realize afresh the power of the peace-speaking blood of Jesus, and His infinite love in dying upon the cross to put away all my transgressions."

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Horatio Spafford had just been ruined financially by the great Chicago Fire of October, 1871. Shortly thereafter, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford’s daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit suddenly overwhelmed him with what can only be described as an inrush of  supernatural peace, the peace of God. With tears streaming down his face, he picked up a pen to record his feelings and from his heart, filled with the peace of God, flowed the timeless words that speak of that peace God provides even though our world is falling apart...When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

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Heavenly Father, I need Your peace today. I ask you to help me to do these things: to lean on you, to meditate on your character and attributes, and to trust you with all my heart. Thank You for Your promise that Your perfect peace will guard my heart and mind. In Christ, I am relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities of this life, because I trust in You...it is well, it is well, with my soul...In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Look Up—meditate on Ephesians 1:1-2  pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

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Look In—as you meditate on  Ephesians 1:1-2  pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

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Look Out—as you meditate on  Ephesians 1:1-2  pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.