This bold colored poster with simple font was created and designed to boost morale of the British people in late 1939 after World War ll broke out. This typically British stiff upper lipped slogan was developed by civil servants, it was designed by the British Ministry of Information and produced by King George VI’s HMSO, His Majesty’s Stationery Office. This was done to raise the morale and keep the British public positive and peacefully focused in the event of massive air attacks on Britain by Germany, which were expected at the outbreak of this war. Over 2.5 million posters were printed. Fortunately, since the war ended without such attacks few were distributed for the public to actually see. This was the third and last poster in a series of three. Most of the original Keep Calm and Carry On posters were destroyed. What precious few that were left, possibly only 15, began emerging around the turn of the 21st century, circa 2,000 A.D. The emergence of these rare posters has unveiled an interest in the message therein. Crown Copyright expires after fifty years on artistic workmanship making this piece now public domain and we are seeing the vast interest appeased with mugs, T~Shirts, mouse pads, books such as Keep Calm for Mums, Keep Calm for Chaps, Keep Calm and Cuddle Up, tote bags and biscuit tins just to name a few available for purchase.
Public domain, what an interesting and legally binding, or freeing term. I love God’s Word! Public Domain has never been, nor will it ever be an issue for God’s Word. Can we use that verse? Is it plagiarism to use a certain version or translation? Thankfully, no. God’s Word is timeless, eternal, and freely (well except for that payment Jesus made that bankrupt Heaven to get it here for us) given to all men that will receive it. So, that brings me to something I was studying this week and thought that beautiful British poster was perfect for this post.
In the gospels we see what Jesus came to do; in Acts we see what was to continue being done by the original disciples and is now to be carried out by us. The gospels give us the teaching of Jesus, in Acts we see how that teaching works through the apostles. Jesus told His disciples that He was leaving and that He would leave His peace and they were not to be afraid. Jesus spoke peace to a raging storm and all was calmed, including the fearful disciples. In John 14:27 the word “leave” means “bequeath”. Jesus was leaving and going to be in Heaven with our Father, and at His right hand. It is there that His enemies are being made His footstool. Jesus took back the devil’s authority over earth and gave it back to us. While here on earth it is the body of Christ that has been given that authority and the responsibility to be more than conqueror’s, making the enemies of Jesus His footstool. What a person “bequeath’s” to another is something of value to them. Jesus bequeathed us His peace because He knew we were going to need it to be victorious.
Paul demonstrates that beautifully and with victory. Paul kept His peace by keeping his focus on, Jesus Christ. Take a look at the book of Philippians and see how many times Paul mentions Jesus Christ. Then take notice of how many times he mentions joy, or rejoicing, or thankfulness. This focus on Jesus in the midst of living through tribulation, persecution and horror we will most likely never know, is Paul’s book on joy. Keeping his mind fixed on Jesus was how he stayed full of peace and joy. And Paul was very victorious in his walk with the Lord here on earth!
Anyone that has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior has the peace of God in them. Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit and is given to the new believer when the Holy Spirit enters them. The same way we trusted Jesus for our salvation; we must trust and allow the Holy Spirit to work and flow in our lives. He is the one ministering to us and in believing God for that, and for peace through the power of the Holy Spirit we will have the victorious lives God intended for us. Also, as Romans 15:13 says, we will abound in hope which is a precursor to victory.
Paul demonstrates that beautifully and with victory. Paul kept His peace by keeping his focus on, Jesus Christ. Take a look at the book of Philippians and see how many times Paul mentions Jesus Christ. Then take notice of how many times he mentions joy, or rejoicing, or thankfulness. This focus on Jesus in the midst of living through tribulation, persecution and horror we will most likely never know, is Paul’s book on joy. Keeping his mind fixed on Jesus was how he stayed full of peace and joy. And Paul was very victorious in his walk with the Lord here on earth!
Anyone that has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior has the peace of God in them. Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit and is given to the new believer when the Holy Spirit enters them. The same way we trusted Jesus for our salvation; we must trust and allow the Holy Spirit to work and flow in our lives. He is the one ministering to us and in believing God for that, and for peace through the power of the Holy Spirit we will have the victorious lives God intended for us. Also, as Romans 15:13 says, we will abound in hope which is a precursor to victory.
I think King George VI was onto something, something quite powerful.
Stop and think for a moment about a time that you stayed calm, held on to your peace, and then enjoyed a victory because of it. You can put that on your “Count Your Many Blessings” list and name it among all the others. God is so good ~ all the time.
Okay, it's not the motivational King George VI red, but don't you agree the pretty pink just promotes peace?
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3
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