Peace I Give You | New Painting & Message

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14: 27 

Peace I Give You | 24" x 20" acrylic on canvas 

Painted for my July 2020 Collectors Club print

Original painting available...click here.

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In the times we are living in, there is a desperate need for peace.  As I prayed into this month’s painting, the word I kept hearing was peace.  I saw this painting in my mind as I prayed and started digging into Scripture about the elements of the composition.  The only true peace can be found in Jesus, he is the Prince of Peace.  Worldly peace isn’t sufficient, it won’t last.  No one except the Lord can bring everlasting peace.  For those abiding in him, they will have peace that surpasses understanding; an unshakable peace that keeps us grounded in times of trouble and uncertainty.  God’s peace will keep our minds and heart focused on the eternal, on hope and on God’s plans rather than the world of anxiety and fear.  God’s peace guards us from allowing the enemy into our emotional and mental state.  His peace gives us rest.  

The image I most often picture when I think of God’s peace is a white feather.  The dove is mentioned in scripture in the story of Noah, bringing an olive branch back to Noah as a sign of dry land and of new life bursting forth.  This branch signified a new season and the flood waters subsiding.  The dove and the olive branch is a symbol for peace, God’s grace, and mercy.  It feels as if we are living in the days of Noah; days of turmoil, wickedness, lawlessness, division, strife and such unrest. (read Matthew 24)  This painting is a good reminder to stay focused on God’s peace and his promise of restoration despite all we are seeing around us.   

We also see the dove mentioned in Jesus’ baptism.  As he comes out of the waters, the heavens open and the Spirit descends on him in the form of a dove and remains.  In this case, the dove is a symbol of God’s Spirit, which rests on Jesus, giving him the power and authority to endure his ministry mission on earth.  I found it interesting that in both of these stories the dove is mentioned, there is water present. 

Water is a symbol of spiritual cleansing and purification, new life through baptism.  God cleansed the earth in Noah’s time of the sin that had completely taken over, giving a new start to humanity.  I am praying for God’s cleansing power to flood the earth once again through us, his sons and daughters, who carry the power of the Holy Spirit.  John 7:38 says, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”  We are agents of living waters to flow out of our lives and reach the world around us.  We are cleansed of our old sinful nature and given a new life of salvation in Christ.  Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us the power and authority to carry out his mission on this earth.  Let’s be the healing waters this world needs.  Flood the earth with his love.  Giving others the hope and peace that the world can’t offer, eternal life in Christ.

“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24: 13-14

I challenge you to dive deeper into Scripture with themes of water, the olive branch and God’s peace.  There is so much treasure with those themes in the Bible... please leave me a comment or your interpretation of this painting below.  I always love to hear what others see through artwork.  

Thank you all again for being part of my Collectors Club & anyone wanting to join.  I pray this art print encourages you during this time.

If you want to JOIN THE CLUB for AUGUST, please click here!