Peace? [2 of 3]

Posted by: glenncurran on: November 4, 2009

• In: Bible Study | Christian Mediation
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[Part 2 of 3]

When we left off, we were considering how strange it was (to me at least) that our Holy God, while incarnate on the depraved earth, could have ‘peace’ and want us to have that same peace — ‘His peace’ — as well.  I asked you to think about what it was in your own life right now that was keeping you from ‘peace.’  (Remember it?  Good, hold on to it a bit longer.)  As we pick up today, we need to start with the question:  What is ‘peace’?

Peace is a central concept in the Scriptures.  The words translated as ‘peace’ in the Old and New Testaments appear more than 360 times.  I found that I was able to group or categorize most of them as follows.

• Many were used as greetings or farewells:
  • Peace to you!
  • Peace be with you!
  • Go in Peace!
• They were used as part of benedictions:
  • The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.  (Num 6:26)
  • Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!  (2 Thess 3:16)
• Peace was to be sought after:
  • Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.  (Ps 34:14)
• Jesus is specifically identified with peace:
  • For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  (Isa 9:6)
  • There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, (Isa 9:7)
  • [F]or God is not a God of confusion but of peace . . . . (1 Cor 14:33)
• But peace is very elusive on earth.  The Old Testament in particular makes this clear:
  • They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.  (Jer 6:14)
  • They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.  (Jer 8:11)
  • When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none.  (Ezek 7:25)
  • It is definitely because they have misled My people by saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace.  (Ezek 13:10)
  • ‘. . . along with the prophets of Israel who prophesy to Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her when there is no peace,’ declares the Lord God.  (Ezek 13:16)
  • Too long has my soul had its dwelling With those who hate peace.  I am for peace, but when I speak, They are for war.  (Ps 120:6-7)

So, we know a little better what the Bible says about peace, but the question remains:  How can we have peace when we have conflict?  (. . . when we have unmet needs?  . . . when we don’t know how we’re going to pay the bills?  . . . when we don’t know what to do with what the doctor just told us?  . . . when we have sin in our lives that keeps showing up . . . again?)

How do we have peace like Jesus had peace?  How do we have “His peace”?

Answer: The same way Jesus found His peace.  How is that?  Well, that would be in the third (and final) blog on peace (I promise).

Shalom aleichem,

— M. Glenn Curran, III, Esquire

Tags: Christian, mediation, peace, peacemaker