What God Says About Peace
Where is the most peaceful place you’ve ever been?
There are two that come to mind for me. The first is an orange grove in an ocean bay area just outside the port city of ancient Corinth in Greece. The second is where I’m currently sitting, writing at this very moment — Wyoming. Now, I know the first thing most people think of when they think of Wyoming is Yellowstone, and if you are familiar with Wyoming, that place is not a place of peace but one filled with tourists. Where I’m at is off the beaten path, nestled away where no one can find me — well, unless you have me on “find my friends.”
There is something about waking up and seeing Antelope trot across the foothills as the sun reflects off the mountains in the distance. Maybe for you, it’s the breeze of the ocean or sitting poolside at your favorite resort. Wherever that place may be, we all know we feel at peace the minute we get there.
Peace is something we all want. Take one look at the world around us, and you’ll see very quickly that we are nowhere near a peaceful planet. There is war, violence, people or presidential candidates getting shot, and peace seems so unattainable.
The Bible talks a lot about peace. It’s mentioned about 429 times [I googled it, and multiple links said that — so you know it’s true]. And although this blog is titled “What God Says About Peace,” it really should be called “God is Peace.” The truth is that without God, we cannot experience true peace.
Because of sin, we’re born with a natural disposition against God. Our sinful nature causes us to be self-satisfying and act rebelliously against what God desires for His children. If we remain in this sinful state, we cannot be reconciled — no matter how hard we try.**
So, now what? If that’s true, how will we ever find peace? Well, the answer lies within the Christmas season. You might be thinking, “What? It’s July?” Well, technically, we’re halfway to Christmas, so it works. But stop and think about it! One of our most beloved Christmas songs literally says, “Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” This is because Christmas celebrates God sending His son, Jesus, to redeem our sinful nature and bring about peace.
Jesus lived a sinless life, acting as a perfect sacrifice so that we, sinners, could be reconciled with God [2 Corinthians 5:21]. This is why Scripture tells us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE.” — Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Jesus is the one who gives us peace with God. Jesus is the reason our salvation is called the “Gospel of peace.” To have peace with God is to be reconciled with Him through His Son, and that means we no longer have to carry the burdens of our sin and shame. When we struggle, we no longer have to struggle alone — we can continuously run to the Father. We keep our peace with God by repeatedly confessing our failures to Him because when we are truly born again, we live with ongoing attitudes of repentance — being free from the things that weigh us down. This gift of redemption was established the minute we believed that Jesus reconciled us on the cross.
In the Book of John, chapters 14–17 are known as Jesus’ farewell discourse. There, Jesus tells His disciples everything that He wants them to remember once He physically leaves them and ascends into heaven. Towards the end of His discourse, Jesus says this:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 NLT
This statement is just as true today as it was 2,000 years ago. Until Jesus returns, the world will always be broken, destructive, and at war. But if we put our hope and trust in Jesus, we’ll be able to live in true peace — the kind that passes all understanding [Philippians 4:7].
Friends, have you put your hope in Jesus? Have you experienced reconciliation with God? Without these things, you will never experience true peace. Instead, your life will always feel unsettled and chaotic. Today, I encourage you to take the words of John 16:33 to heart. Memorize them. Write them down and put them somewhere that you’ll see every day. Place them in your heart. As you do, I pray that you’ll find rest in the shadow of the Almighty [Psalm 91:1], knowing that He will be your peace [Ephesians 2:14].
Written by: Dr. Ravae Wilson
Published by Woodside Bible Church
Reference:
**https://www.gotquestions.org/peace-with-God.html
