“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (I Thessalonians 5:3).
According to Lloyd Cory, we find this interesting note:
Quotable Quotations (p. 278)
Peace is rare: less than 8% of the time since the beginning of recorded time has the world been entirely at peace. In a total of 3,530 years, 286 have been war-less. 8,000 treaties have been broken in this time.
Victor Books; Revised, Subsequent edition (September 1, 1985)
The ultimate quest of mankind (collectively and individually) is peace. Often peace is defined as a cessation of conflict. However, peace is far more than that! The Hebrew word Shalom carries with it the connotation of wholeness or entire well-being.
Another definition I picked up several years ago is “the heart at rest with God.” Quite frankly, no matter how hard mankind strives for the popular conception of peace (lack of conflict), it is totally unobtainable. Man’s sinful being, coupled with a real evil being called “Satan” or “the Devil,” disallows for universal peace at this time But the God of peace wants to give us the peace of God, which surpasses all (of our) understanding. This peace can only come from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace. When we place our entire trust in Him, He gives us a peace that is beyond explanation. It guards our minds and hearts:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
Peace, what we would not give to possess it permanently! Most of us think of peace as the cessation or absence of war. But there is much more to this concept than just the absence of something. It must also include the presence of something or someone great enough to alleviate our fears; one, in whom we can rest. As a matter of fact, someone has once defined peace as “the heart at rest with God.”
Ephesians 2:14 reads, For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ and the access to God He has provided by spilling His precious life-blood on the cross to atone for our miserable sins. Nothing is more valuable than to be at peace with God through Christ alone in a world torn by turmoil, confusion and hopelessness.
Isaiah puts t this way, You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
Peace is trusting in Christ: He’ll give you a double portion of it when you do! There you have it – in a world of turmoil, peace is God’s gift for the asking. Have you?
Do you not know this Peace? Do you not know the Lord Jesus? Then [click here]
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