[Note: The Amplified Version is used for the scripture references unless otherwise noted.]
The following quote was on Facebook, 4-24-2026. The author is Rick Renner.
“When the peace of God is standing guard at the entrance of your heart and mind, the devil has lost his access to your thought life and your emotions.” (see: Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Colossians 3:15; Proverbs 4:23)
We are living in an age of ‘Unprecedented Unrest’; a time when people are blatantly advocating ‘be ungoverned’; a time of the Bible spoken of in Isaiah 5:20, “Woe(judgment)is coming to those who call evil good, good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute butter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” [see context Isaiah 5:8-23]
Jesus said, in Matthew 24:37-39, “For the coming of the Son of Man(the Messiah)will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will be the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected] judgment, [Genesis 6:5-8; 7:6-24] {see context Matthew 24}
Solomon wrote, in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10, “That which has been is that which will be [again], And that which has been done is that which will be done again. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it can be said, “See this, it is new”? It has already existed for [the vast] ages [of time recorded or unrecorded] Which were before us.” {See context Ecclesiastes 1:1-11}
The blessing is that today, ‘in Christ’, we are living in what is new!
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ[that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature[reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings new life]. {See context 2 Corinthians 5:14-19}
Therefore, just like Noah, before the coming of the flood of judgment, we live in the midst of the world upon which God looks down and sees that “the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy (annihilate) mankind whom I have created from the surface of earth–not only man, but the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air–because it [deeply] grieves Me [to see mankind’s sin] and I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor and grace in the eyes of the Lord.” {See context Genesis 6:1-8}
What is the reason we can rest in the quote of Rick Renner?
Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of John 3:16. {See context John 3:1-36}
Jesus, the Son of God/Son of Man,is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
He is God, the Father’s, perfect sacrifice, that was offered as an atonement for sin who was nailed to the cross for the sin of the world.
Hebrews 10:12, says, “whereas Christ, having offered the one sacrifice [the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself] for sins for all time, SAT DOWN [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD[the position of honor]…”
Christ died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, on the third day He was resurrected from the dead, bodily ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of God, His Father, and His second coming will be His return to this earth.
Therefore, as believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, children of God,the Father, we can be assured of our rest and peace in the midst of the tumultuous storm of Unprecedented Unrest we are experiencing, now.
Why?
Because we are in the ARK, the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us now give our attention to the scripture references that support Rick Renner’s quote.
1. Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. [John 14:27]” {See Philippians 4:5-7 for context}
2. John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] 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 afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength in every challenge.]” {see context John 14:1-31}
3. Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in *perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast[that is committed and focused on You–in both** inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].” {See context Isaiah 23:1-6}
*Lit peace, peace, a Hebrew idiom of emphasis.
**The Hebrew word for inclination became a technical term in Jewish tradition, and the rabbis frequently referred to the “evil inclination” much in the same sense as the sin nature.
4. Colossians 3:15,”Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].” {See context Colossians 3} (I recommend that you read this entire chapter.)
5. Proverbs 4:23, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” {See context Proverbs 4:20-27}
These admonitions and teaching from the Word of God are our place of refuge in God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, comforted by the Holy Spirit in the storms of life.
Jesus, knowing what His disciples, and we would face in this world, praying to His Father, prior to His arrest, said, “I have given to them Your word[the message you gave to Me]; and the world has hated them because they are not of this world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. They are not of this world, just as I am not of this world”…”I do not pray for these alone [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for [all] those who [will ever] believe and trust in Me, through their message, that they all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.” [ John 17:14-16;20-21]{See context John 17:1-26}
Just as Noah, who found grace in the sight of the Lord in the midst of the flood, was safe, secure,and at peace and rest because of his obedient faith…
“By faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah, being warned by God about events not yet see, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this[act of obedience] he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which comes by faith [Genesis 6:13-22]” {Hebrews 11:7}.
so, we, too, in Christ, have found grace in the sight of the Lord, are safe, secure, and at peace and rest in our spiritual ARK, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ last words to His disciples, before His prayer to His Father, recorded in John 16:31-33 accurately describe the hour in which we are living.
“Jesus answered them, “Do you now [at last] believe? Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
At peace and rest in His Victory, come Lord Jesus.
a brother in Christ, deo
Living Words of Encouragement 