John 14:27 (NKJV): "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27 is to be understood in the context of reading John 14:26 first. As a believer, the Holy Spirit in you teaches you in all things (i.e. in all areas of your life) and brings to your remembrance what He has spoken to you (or promised you). This is His assurance for you today. He hasn't forgotten what He has spoken to you (or promised you), and He will also continue to teach (and guide) you in all things. So, take heart. Aren't you glad you have a God who teaches (and guides) you continuously in all things, and a God who keeps His promises?
John 14:27 then follows. The word 'peace' here is 'eirene' in Greek, which means 'peace, quietness, rest, in one again, i.e. in harmony again'. When you receive this peace that comes only from Him, you have no reason to be troubled or to be afraid! The word 'afraid' in this verse means 'being intimidated, or losing faith/trust', while the word 'troubled' here can mean 'being disturbed, panic, or anxious'.
Not only that, the Bible also says 'His perfect love casts out fear' (1 John 4:18). Just as a light never fails to light up a dark room (i.e. chases the darkness away), His love (for you) never fails to cast out fear (in you)! 1 John 4:18 also says, 'But he who fears has not been made perfect in love'. Just as peace is opposite to fear, love is also opposite to fear. You are made perfect in love not by 'trying hard to achieve love by your own strength', but simply by receiving His love! Romans 5:5 says, 'because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us'. When He pours out, you receive! And as you receive, this love is going to flow out from you to touch any situation (or love others).
Let's now look at Jesus, your great Lover in the book of Song of Songs. It is a beautiful book of romance (i.e. love of a man and a woman) written by Solomon. It also pictures God's love for you, His beloved. There are three main entities in this book:
The king (speaks of God Himself);
The bride, i.e. the Shulamite woman (speaks of you); and
The chorus, i.e. the daughters of Jerusalem (speaks of the whole citizen of heaven).
Note: 'Chorus' means 'things sung, applauded, or shouted by many people together'.
The Shulamite woman said, "For your love is better than wine" (Song of Songs 1:2). 'Wine' speaks of 'the enjoyable things on earth, or the pleasures of this world', but the Word of God says God's love is even better than all these.
Jesus is also your rose of Sharon and lily of the valleys (Song of Songs 2:1).
Rose of Sharon
'Rose' speaks of 'sweetness, or sweet-smelling', and 'Sharon' (pronounced 'Shaw-rone' in Hebrew) is condensed from the Hebrew word 'yashar', which means 'to make straight, to make a way, to make right/pleasant/prosperous'. Jesus is the Sweetness that makes straight your way.
Note: 'Sharon' is a place of blossoming, fruitfulness, bountiful, and prosperity, and the inhabitants of Sharon those days (i.e. the Sharonites) were warriors/worshipers to 'make straight the way'.
Lily of the valleys
'Lily' is 'Shuwshan' (pronounced 'Shoo-shan') in Hebrew, which means 'flower, to be bright, cheerful, joyful', and 'valleys' (notice it's plural, i.e. more than one 'valley') speaks of 'depression, or deep trouble'. Jesus brings joy in times of sorrow, and He turns your sorrow into joy.
And this is how sweet a Lover He is to you (His 'bride'). He is the 'rose of Sharon' and the 'lily of the valleys' to you! The Shulamite woman later responded, "His mouth is most sweet. Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend..." (Song of Songs 5:16). Proverbs 16:24 says, 'Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the bones'. His Word is sweet, not flatteringly sweet, but sweet to the soul, which leads to health to your body. 'Honeycomb' is 'the wax structure holding bee's honey (speaks of 'sweetness and strength') and eggs (speaks of 'new life')'. So, His Word brings you sweetness, strength, and life. Receive!
So, have no worry, not allowing yourself to fear, whether you are in the midst of a job application, family trouble, or in any form of pressure. His love for you fails not (1 Corinthians 13:8). This is not the time to allow your heart to faint, but this is the time to keep receiving His love, joy, and peace. Yes, like a river! He is your Source of love, joy, and peace. In fact, these are also the first three 'fruit' of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
Receive His love (Romans 5:5) which is being poured out in you.
Receive His peace (John 14:27) which He leaves with you and gives to you.
Receive His joy (Nehemiah 8:10) as you 'eat the fat and drink the sweet' (i.e. take in His portion).
Note: 'Fat' is God's portion. Leviticus 3:16 says, "all the fat is the Lord's". So, eating the 'fat' and drinking the 'sweet' speaks of receiving/taking in God's portion! Indeed, there's something about eating the 'fat' and drinking the 'sweet' that makes one happy!
Notice all the words above point towards you receiving, taking in, being 'poured on', and when Someone gives, someone is going to receive, and that person is you!
Isaiah 55:1 (NKJV) says, "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine (speaks of 'joy') and milk (speaks of 'love' and 'peace') without money and without price."
Jesus has already paid the full price when He died for you on the cross some 2,000 years ago! So, come freely to Him, and receive His love, joy, and peace! True love, joy, and peace are not something you strive to get (or strive to achieve), or even try to buy with money, but it's for you to receive directly from Him! And as you receive, the Bible says, 'you shall then go out with joy, and be led out with peace' (Isaiah 55:12).
Note: Just like the infilling of the Holy Spirit happens first, then only you'll bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
People of God, I declare that the worst is over! In Jesus' name. Things shall begin to look brighter and brighter for you from now on! Believe, and you'll receive. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Just as in Nehemiah's days, the worst was over in his project of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem (in the face of opposition, mockery, and threats from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, etc), and that's when God ordered His people to 'eat the fat and drink the sweet'. Hallelujah & Amen!
