Christ Our Peace

Text: “The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).

What is peace?

The American Heritage Dictionary tells us that “peace is the absence of war or other hostilities; Freedom from quarrels or disagreements”.

Scripture tells us that “The LORD will bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11), but people are not at peace with themselves, their families or their neighbors. Many parts of the world have never been free of war, yet “the LORD will bless His people with peace”. By the same token, some parts of the world have never experienced war, but people still are not at peace.

We are the children of God. God is the Father of all humankind. God has blessed humankind numerous times, so why isn’t humankind at peace with themselves and with each other? Is peace just being free of quarrels and/or disagreements? Is peace just the absence of wars?

God’s word is talking about an inner peace that is acquired only through knowing His Son, as our personal Lord and Savior. This is a peace above all other peace. This is a lasting peace. This is a peace that gives meaning to life and makes life worth living.

Listen to what Dr. George W. Crane wrote in the Chicago Daily News.

He wrote, a prominent judge said, “It seems to me that people have more mental disorders today. Or is it just that I have my attention focused on such things?”

“What would you advise as the best way to eliminate psychiatric problems?”

Dr. Crane said, “There would be much less strain on men and women if they teamed up with God as a daily partner. Indeed, in that event, psychiatry would almost pass out of existence.

People, who try to live independently and ignore God, are soon overwhelmed with innumerable fears and worries. They become the typical hypochondriacs, always fretting about gall bladder or ulcer or appendix or impending cancer or insanity.

If more people learned to team up with God, the human race would soon be able to throw off the 50 per cent of its ailments that medical educators admit are psychological.”

Some people who give God no consideration think they are living the best life. They are doing what they want to do. They are living as if life here on earth is forever. These people believe that they can solve their own problems. God is not needed because God doesn’t exist. They only believe in what they can visually see.

These people have all the money they need. They have a house larger than most other houses and furnished with top quality furniture and fixtures. Their cars are the best. All their efforts are concentrated on climbing the corporate ladder. They visualize their office in the ivy tower and put forth all effort to reach that office. These people are searching for peace in the wrong places.

God’s word says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Psalm 26:3). Each one of us will pass through trials and tribulations in life that we cannot avoid. Even during these times, we can have perfect peace when we are teamed with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ.

We are disturbed and shaken by the trials of life we encounter, but God, who loves us and has a great strong impressive power is never shaken or moved. God’s word as related to the Philippians by Paul is as follows: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

True peace, the type of peace God offers is entirely different that any kind of peace the world has to offer. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Real peace comes into our life by the work of the Holy Spirit. This peace is a peace that covers every kind of situation, conflict or disturbance we may ever encounter. This type of peace gives meaning to life. God never intended for us to be worried or stressed about anything.

Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25).

It is really a sin for us to worry. Worry brings stress into our life. Worry and stress cause us to turn away from Almighty God when in reality; we should cast all of our burdens upon Him. Worry and stress gives Satan an opportunity to gain access to our inner being. When Satan enters into our life, we do things and commit acts contrary to the will of God.