“For the Believer, peace is joy resting, and joy is peace dancing. Not only does our hope become faith, but our faith buds and blossoms and brings forth the almonds of joy and peace. Our hope, faith, joy and peace are all of Divine workmanship.” (Note 1)
The imagery of resting and dancing may seem to be at odds with each other. Not so. Scripture speaks of joy and peace as interconnected parts of God’s promise to us. Consider the prayer of the Apostle Paul, “Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Note 2)
Paul’s words speak of a faith continuum from hope through faith to joy to peace. All joy. And all peace. All by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. With this kind of hope and faith, how can we not have joy that dances and peace that is joy resting?
Note 1: Adapted from a November 11, 1877 sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892).
Note 2: Romans 15:13 NKJV