PEACE
Tranquility, Harmony, and Security
I received an early morning phone call; it was my pastor. He said, “Michael, let’s discuss the topic of ‘peace’ at Men’s Breakfast this morning. I shook my drowsy head to obtain some clarity of thought. I said, “Brother, we meet in ten minutes.” We both chuckled…he was serious, however. On my short drive to the local restaurant, I thought of biblical promises and passages that speak of true peace.
At breakfast, I brought up the topic of the week: peace. I said that the word ‘peace’ is mentioned in the bible over 4000 times. I continued, “Peace, we all want it, but what is it and how do we obtain it?” The answers from the men were varied. One person said that he is at peace when he turns off his Roku device and sits quietly, with no distractions. (I recalled my mother’s earlier days when she insisted that the TV play 24 hours a day – for her peace of mind). Another brother said that he finds peace sitting by a river in the forest. He said that the gentle ripple of the water, coupled with the rustling leaves brought great peace in the presence of God. I agreed and thought time does seem to slow down when we immerse ourselves in the tranquil beauty of nature. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Peace, is it possible to obtain in our incredibly fast-paced modern technological society? A few more common bible passages came to mind. I thought of Martha and Mary. Martha raced around doing good things and preparing, but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. He told Martha that Mary had chosen the good thing, resting and learning at his feet. King David is famous for being a man after God’s own heart, he found peace in the temple as he would commonly gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). The angels sang out “Peace on earth and goodwill to men” as Jesus was being born. (Luke 2: 8-16). And the greatest promise for peace came from the lips of Jesus, himself, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, not as the world gives do I give you.” (John 14:27).
One of these days, and I pray that it is soon, the Prince of Peace will come and rule in us, in our hearts and the nations. The Bible promises that the people “will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks”. Isaiah says it like this, “You shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12); (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3). These are wonderful promises that we can anticipate and count on. Peace within and peace all around.
“God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” (C.S. Lewis)
“Solitude with God repairs the damage done by the fret and noise and clamor of the world.” (Oswald Chambers) (Further study: 2 Thess. 3:16, Romans 5:1, Philippians 4:7, Romans 8:6, Galatians 5:22-23)