"Peace I Give You" - Collectors Club, July 2020
“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
“When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” Genesis 8: 11
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7
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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.
“‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6: 24-26
Originally painted in acrylic on canvas.
All prints are printed on fine art quality printing canvas. It will look and feel like the real thing. (un-matted and unframed).
All prints are also available in a pre-stretched canvas option. 1.25-inch sides, stretched on a wood frame, coated for maximum UV protection, wired and ready to hang.
PRINTED TO ORDER - Please allow our local printer to do a fabulous job printing your artwork. Processing time is dependent on the amount of prints on order in production (usually allow around 2 weeks).
