Peace. For many, peace is just a word. Knowing the word peace and truly knowingpeace are two different things entirely. We tend to make peace customized to our circumstances in life. We believe we can only have peace if… But the truth is, there is only one real peace and it will never, ever be found in any circumstance. The peace we think we find in our circumstances is fleeting. It may be there for a moment, but it will be gone as soon as things change. True peace from God rises above and covers all.
From the Old Testament to the New Testament to the world we live in today, peace has meant something different in every era. In the Old Testament we find these descriptions of peace:
To Live in Safety- Knowing my weakness, I am aware that I cannot defend against some things, but God can, and I rest in His security. (In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8)
No conflict with your enemies- When we are constantly “looking over our shoulder” or defending ourselves from others we cannot have peace. If we make our ways right with God, they will also be right with man. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
A feeling of tranquility and security- Peace is a byproduct of living our lives in agreement with God’s Word. You can’t have peace without right living. Living a life that is not honoring to God will only bring inner turmoil and conflict. Living a life aligned with Him will bring tranquility and security to our lives.
A calm state of mind; a heart free from anxiety and fear- At the center of all peace is the focus of our mind. Our thoughts should drive our emotions and not the other way around. Often, we try to have a heart free from anxiety and fear by trying to control everything around us. It somehow mistakenly feels like security to us if we can control everything and keep it all together. That mistaken security leads to a temporary feeling of peace.
These examples of Old Testament peace are similar to some of the definitions we give peace today. However, they are all dependent on the circumstances lining up right to have that peace, which is also exactly how we seek peace. True peace comes and stays through all the storms and turmoil, when circumstances line up and when they don’t. It is there before they begin, during the raging, and after it dies down. We only find that kind of peace from the Prince of Peace Himself. Jesus brought us the gift of peace on that first Christmas, and all these years later, that gift of peace is still available for you and me.
Scripture to Claim:
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18
