Peace

What do you think of when you hear the word "peace"? Is it a word you only think about when you hear it on the news, describing some far away countries? In those cases it normally seems to be in the context of a lack of peace or unstable peace.  In America we enjoy a pretty fair reality of peace, war being a removed idea for most of us, the exception being those who serve in the armed forces. This, as I see it, is a problem.

Why is peace a problem? Well as sinful people we a predisposed to strive, war and fight.
Isaiah 59:7-8 "Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace."

The whole chapter of Isaiah 59 gives examples of how people fight and strive apart from God and the futility of it. So what is it you "war" with? What are the "battles" you face? Do you fight and claw your way up the ladder to get a better job? Do you wrestle everyday with who you are supposed to marry or finding contentment in being single? Is it family, friends, or co-workers that you bicker with? And most importantly do you fight with God in your heart?

This may seem like an odd question, one that needs some clarification. First off you must be a Christian to even begin to find peace in God.  The Bible is full of verses about the enmity between God and unbelievers and not why I wanted to write this piece so I will skip over that for now, but if you have any questions I would love to discuss them. But as a Christian do you find peace in God? You have peace with God through Christs' finished work on the cross, but do you find an all consuming comforting peace in Him?
Philippians 4:6-7 "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."
I always read this verse wrong, thinking it said the peace of God passes all understanding, as if the peace of God gave us understanding, and while that might be partially true, what it really says is much more profound. The peace we have in God surpasses understanding, as in it goes beyond our comprehension, or at least should. When we are worried about jobs or relationships or money or any other myriad of things, as Christians we should have a peace that not only unbelievers can't understand but even we should be baffled by how complete His peace is. I admit that too many times I am quick to try to find my own answer or solution to a problem, or just simply allow the problem to tumble in my mind instead of turning to God for comfort. Does this mean we won't have problems? Absolutely not. God has promised us suffering and strife. This life was not meant to be easy. But He has promised to give us peace as long as we turn to Him. The struggles and hardships we face are meant to teach us reliance on Him.

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
As I studied peace this verse stuck out to me the most. It is spoken by Jesus Christ shortly before He would be crucified for my sins.  How can I have peace in a man who promises me tribulation and would suffer a brutal death? Because of that last statement "I have overcome the world." Sure, He died, but validated His claim by rising 3 days later. There is nothing here on earth that I can go through that He can't sympathize with or the He didn't face Himself. Not only did He face it, but He overcame it all. And that thought, coupled with the fact that He now sits with God the Father, making intercession for me brings me peace indescribable.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."