There are two things that most people desire, not only today, but throughout history. Number one is peace. Number two is money. And, many believe that more money can create peace.
This is impossible, because the lack of peace is within each and very human being. James, though addressing the 12 Tribes of Israel (James 1:1), had some incredible wisdom that is relevant for us today:
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:1-3)
Wars and fightings do not come from external circumstances. They come from the lack of contentment, and peace within. The reason for the lack is that many people have a total disregard for God.
The will of God is to have peace; Peace on Earth, as well as real, inner peace.
This peace can only come from God Himself. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ will be coming back soon as the “Prince of Peace.” Jesus Christ came into the world as the promised Messiah of Israel.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. – Luke 2:14
He was rejected by His people, but will one day return to establish peace during His millennial reign:
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. – Isaiah 11:6-9
Yet, what can we do today to have peace in a peace-less world?
It is impossible to impose peace on other people, but it is possible to have peace. This peace can be had by trusting the Lord, through the Gospel, which promises peace to the believer.
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Corinthians 1:2
Paul opened his epistles with “the peace of God.” it is important to note that individual believers actually have peace of God, because they are at peace with Him, through Jesus Christ!
Sometimes, even as Believers, outward circumstances can overshadow inward realities. That is because we, in our flesh, fail to comprehend the scope of salvation. Yet, we have to reconcile in our minds what is Truth.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7
In a turbulent, peace-less world, we can have perfect peace by trusting completely in the Lord Jesus Christ! We need to realize who were are IN Christ Jesus
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20
Let me end with the the end of the third verse of the hymn, “Like A River Glorious:”
We may trust Him fully
All for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly
Find Him wholly true.
Bob Picard God’s Grace Bible Church, Millbury, MA
SUPPLY OF GRACE 