Peace of God in the God of Peace
By Jessica Brodie
Have you ever assumed a word meant something it didn’t? I used to think the word “fitful” meant peaceful, restful—as in “fit and healthy” or “the perfect fit.” So I’d often misuse the word and baffle those around me. Of course, its meaning is the opposite: Fitful means restless, intermittent, as in someone tossing and turning like they’re having a fit, a sudden burst of energy or temper.
No wonder people seemed concerned when, as a teen, I’d describe my sleep as “fitful.”
We do that with other words, too. With the conflict going on right now between Israel and Hamas, I’m hearing the word “peace” used a lot, both in prayer and political rhetoric. Many quite reasonably fear war, not only between two groups of people but a larger-scale conflict fanning out to affect the whole world. With today’s weapons of annihilation, war’s repercussions could take a huge toll on our lives and on the earth.
Many of us hear the word “peace” and assume it means a lack of fighting or war, tranquility, or living in harmony with each other. In some senses, it does. But when it comes to peace as mentioned in the Bible, it doesn’t mean there will be no disagreements, no conflicts or troubles.
And it doesn’t necessarily mean no war.
During his time on earth, Jesus talked a great deal about peace. Some of his words might seem confusing to us—for instance, in Matthew 10:34-36 he said he didn’t come to bring peace but a sword, turning a household against each other. Yet he’s called “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). In Matthew 5:9, he said “blessed are the peacemakers,” and in John 14:27, he 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” (NIV).
The truth is we live in an imperfect world. We pray for God’s kingdom to come and for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. But until every knee bows and every tongue confesses the sovereignty of the Lord, true peace isn’t possible for the whole world (Philippians 2:10-11).
The best we can hope to achieve is peace in our hearts—the internal peace that comes from resting in the hope and promise of Jesus.
In the Bible, the word Jesus uses for peace in most of these passages comes from the Greek word eiréné, which means harmony, tranquility, and reconciliation. It’s the concept of being in perfect unity and accord with the Lord, living in tune with his commands and ways.
The apostle Paul talks about this same kind of peace in Philippians 4:6-7, when he urges, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is important, for that is the sort of peace we as believers are promised. It’s a peace that can never leave, even in the midst of the battlefield.
When we know God and love him, and believe in his son, Jesus, as our savior, we get not only salvation but a priceless gift we can attain no other way—the Holy Spirit. Emmanuel, Jesus, is God with us, but the Spirit is God in us.
This is the peace we are assured—true rest as believers. True contentment.
And its only found through one source: Jesus, “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
In the short term, the peace of God doesn’t always look like world peace. But in the long-term, it is. For the peace of God comes when we know the God of peace.
I pray for all those wounded, killed, and terrified in the current war between Israel and Hamas. I pray for our leaders, that they make decisions in line with the Lord and his purpose. I pray for God’s comfort to surround those affected, and I pray that the rest of the world steps up in love and support.
But most of all, I pray we come to know the Lord, God Almighty, and that we make him the true ruler of our hearts, minds, and souls.
For as Jesus says in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
This is true peace, now and always.
Amen.
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