God's Promise Of Peace

God's Promise Of Peace

      Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace, that state of being where there is quiet, tranquility, freedom from disturbance or agitation, a calm state of repose, absence or cessation of war, Oh! How we long for peace on earth, and peace within our soul.

      Almighty God is the author of peace. With him there is no confusion or turmoil. Within the soul of the natural man there is a raging conflict, a war, if you will, between good and evil, We all know, even without being reminded, that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are all guilty before God, and our guilty conscience bears heavy upon our shoulders. We cry out for peace when there is no peace.

      Mankind, in the natural state has been at war with his creator, almighty God, from the fall of mankind at the very beginning of time in the garden of Eden. Consequently, there have been wars and rumors of wars in the name of preserving peace, but all have failed and the state of the natural man is fear, misery, distrust, death ,and hell.

      Being separated from God by sin and disobedience, men and women are living in a literal hell on earth, whether they realize it or not; however there are those who have been lifted out of the darkness and guilty turmoil by receiving the gift of God's love and mercy, the forgiveness of sin, and restoration of fellowship with God through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

      God himself is the first peace maker. He first offered conditions of peace and forgiveness to men when the angels announced the birth of Christ. God's message to all mankind was a message of reconciliation to all who would believe and receive. God so loved the world that he offered himself as the sacrifice for sin so that peace and fellowship could be restored between God and man.

     So, God announced his good will toward men when the angels proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men”. Luke 2:14 “The Lord will give strength unto his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace.” Psalm29:11.

     Only a redeemed sinner can describe the blessed peace and relief that descends upon the heart and soul of one who has believed and come to Jesus Christ by faith, and asked forgiveness, and cleansing from sin, and accepted his sacrifice on the cross as full payment of the penalty for his sin. The burden of guilt falls from the sinner's shoulder, so to speak, and he is born again, and it seems that his youth is renewed like the eagle.. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's ”Psalm 103: 1-5

     He is kept in perfect peace when his mind is stayed and fixed on Christ. We all sail on stormy seas through life. Sometimes the waters are calm and tranquil, and we esteem all to be well with us, then suddenly a storm arises, and the sea of life become a raging torrent. Our little bark is tossed to and fro, we are confronted with failure, financial stress, loneliness, loss of friendships, or loss of family and loved ones through death, we grow old and are confronted with ill health, and the stark reality of our own mortality. Fortunately, if we have accepted God's offer of peace, we are not alone in our little boat, for Christ has promised to travel with us and give us perfect peace and to bring us safely to the heavenly shores. 

     “Thou wilt keep; him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee .” Isaiah 26:3. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14: 27. “And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 7. “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith unto the grace wherein we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1,2

     If someone is reading these lines and has not yet done so, why not accept God's offer of peace through the Lord Jesus Christ. And enjoy the blessings of God's fellowship and his help and comfort in times of need and trouble. Christ paid a mighty price for our redemption, for our peace, our joy and eternal life, but it is offered to us absolutely free, simply to be received by faith. Only a foolish person would refuse such an offer and promise of peace. I pray that you too will find the peace and joy of God which passes all human understanding.