Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Someone said, “If your inner mind is not deceived, your outer actions won’t be wrong.”
There is a lot of peace talks these days and the more of these photo-ops we see as peace agreements are signed, the more skeptical we become that the peace will hold or that the one’s signing have any ability to assure a positive outcome of any kind. Is peace just the absence of war? If all wars were to stop overnight, would that be real peace? That is what we have come to believe in this fractious and often tumultuous world.
A government official stands up and declares all is well now because the war has died down and there are not as many casualties; therefore, peace looks promising. Although this type of peace is necessary to survive on this planet it is not what Jesus meant when He said He would give us His peace. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
We know that peace is God’s will for mankind because the first thing said at the birth of Jesus by the angel of the Lord was a declaration of peace toward all men on this earth. Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Everyone is looking for some kind of peace. Peace and quiet is a commodity sought after by overworked and stressed people the world over. Big amounts of money are spent daily for that peaceful getaway where peace and relaxation are guaranteed.
The reality of that peace package upon return from the peaceful holiday to the real word is the stressed life starts all over again. Gated communities are sold the world over as peaceful homes, settings and landscapes so that the occupants can live in a state of perpetual peace from the ugly outside world. Yet real peace is not found in the surrounding wall of an estate. Eze. 13:10 Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash.
The reality of that peace package upon return from the peaceful holiday to the real word is the stressed life starts all over again. Gated communities are sold the world over as peaceful homes, settings and landscapes so that the occupants can live in a state of perpetual peace from the ugly outside world. Yet real peace is not found in the surrounding wall of an estate. Eze. 13:10 Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash.
Peace is not a commodity or something possessed through purchases of endless stuff. Real peace comes through the person of Jesus, the Price of Peace. When war, gang shootouts and revenge killings stop, there is an uneasy ceasefire or détente because the skirmish can start right up again with one insult or slight.
When real peace is established in the hearts and minds of the people who have accepted Jesus’ eternal peace, the result of using the Lord’s peace as a standard brings real choices of reconciliation and forgiveness rather than revenge and another round of warfare. Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Lord’s peace in us will teach us to keep peace because God’s peace, as the scripture says, is guarding our hearts and minds. If we have peace in our hearts and minds, then our actions will correspond with the blessed peace at work within each one of us.
When real peace is established in the hearts and minds of the people who have accepted Jesus’ eternal peace, the result of using the Lord’s peace as a standard brings real choices of reconciliation and forgiveness rather than revenge and another round of warfare. Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Lord’s peace in us will teach us to keep peace because God’s peace, as the scripture says, is guarding our hearts and minds. If we have peace in our hearts and minds, then our actions will correspond with the blessed peace at work within each one of us.
One of God’s names is Peace. Judges 6:24a Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah Shalom. Why on earth would we look to politicians for peace when the God who is peace lives within us? The most man and government can provide for humanity is a precarious peace that is basically the absence of war. Is that a good thing? Yes, absolutely, we will take it. Who wants to live in a Syrian war-type of mayhem year after year?
Real peace from God will give us faith-filled boldness that can move mountains and extend grace to people who have lost their peace in life. It is God’s desire that we live, promote and bring peace to every situation in need of God’s peace so that all may know the blessed hope that is possible for everyone who desires peace in life and in their hearts. Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Real peace from God will give us faith-filled boldness that can move mountains and extend grace to people who have lost their peace in life. It is God’s desire that we live, promote and bring peace to every situation in need of God’s peace so that all may know the blessed hope that is possible for everyone who desires peace in life and in their hearts. Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
I leave you all with a blessing of the Lord’s peace upon you. Num. 6:25 May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. 26 May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ Amen and amen.
Henry David Thoreau once wrote, 'For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root'. Thank God, Jesus struck at the root; He is our peace!
Thanks Norm, another great article.
Very good blog Norm
May God Bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you, and give you peace.