Message summary: Today we encourage you to proclaim this bold statement of faith, "I've still got joy in chaos, I've got peace that makes no sense". Speak it as often as your heart needs to hear it or sing it if you know the song.

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"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

We enjoy many styles of music from very old to new (which now becomes old even in our own lifetime or sooner!) Some refer to music from just ten years ago as "classic". Apart from differing tastes in music some have strong opinions favoring either the newer or the older. We try to focus primarily on the lyrical content and discern whether it lines up with Scripture.

Those who prefer or even insist on "older" music are most likely singing songs written in the last 200 years or just 10% of the church's history which means they are still relatively new!

Yesterday in our spiritual resource section we used a newer song (released in 2021) that was sung in our church on Sunday titled, "Firm Foundation (He Won't)". It's got a catchy style reminding us that God will not fail us.

But today let's consider just one thoughtful line from the song, "I've got peace that makes no sense". That line jumped out at me Sunday when we were singing this song.

Peace in this context is surely referring to the settled confidence that God is in control regardless of our circumstances.

It's really an expression of the phrase in our daily text, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding". Other versions state, "transcends all understanding", "a peace which is too wonderful to understand", "God’s peace, which is greater than we can ever understand".

This verse, a promise of peace, follows a command, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (v.6). Everyone from every generation will have occasions prompting anxiety or worry. Jesus addressed worry in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6.

So what is peace that makes no sense (from the song lyric) or "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (from our Bible text)?

Bible teacher Ray Stedman writes, "The peace of God is a peace no one can understand or explain, a peace that comes to us despite our circumstances, and which does not arise out of emotions or events. It is supernatural in origin and nature. Can there be anything more relevant to the trouble and anxiety of this world than the peace of God?"

William Barclay comments, "The peace of God is so precious that the human mind, with all its skill and all its knowledge, can never produce it. It can never be of our contriving; it is only of God's giving. The way to peace is in prayer to entrust ourselves and all whom we hold dear to the loving hands of God".

This brings to mind an old song by Kelly Willard from our generation, "I cast all my cares upon You".

B e encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13