It was First Isaiah who wrote the words:
“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) Ah, Peace!
But long before Isaiah had prophesied his first words…we have the Aaronic blessing, coming from the brother of Moses during the days of the wilderness sojourn.
Therefore, in the book of Numbers we find the words attributed to Aaron, (brother of Moses) “the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Ah, Peace!
And it was more than a millennium later that Paul would write to the church at Philippi and say, “do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philip.4.6-7) Ah, Peace!
It is amazing I tell you.
The Bible begs us to look at the larger picture…to try and see things or to view them, as God sees them…
The biblical concept of peace does not focus on “the absence of trouble.”
Trouble is a given in life and living. Trouble happens.
Biblical peace is unrelated to circumstances; it is a goodness of life that is not touched by what happens on the “outside.”
There is always the possibility of having peace within…
Which is to say – you may be in the midst of “great personal trials” and still have a “calming biblical peace.”
The biblical word for peace is shalom. And shalom has many, many, many meanings and is actually an all encompassing kind of word.
Shalom is peace for the mind, a peace for the spirit, and a peace for the whole body. Shalom is wholistic.
The apostle Paul said at one point, that he could be content in practically any circumstance.
When he was jailed at Philippi for example, Paul prayed and sang songs of praise and he remained confident that God would always – be gracious to him…
Then later, when the opportunity arose, Paul communicated – God’s same goodness to his Philippian jailer – and brought him and his whole family to the faith.
I tell you it is amazing.
The Bible does not teach us to have “pity parties” for ourselves…but instead, wants us to look beyond the immediacy of the moment…and to look at the larger picture.
In terms of my entire life-this is but a blip on the radar (although it may be a big blip from my perspective) it is “just a blip.”
Blips happen. Blips are to be expected. Our God is bigger than the blips of this life!
Icky-ness happens. There are bad days, bad times, bad moments, uncomfortable moments. Times of stress…but they are but …“blips”…
It is truly ironic – that surely what are some of the most definitive words spoken on “peace” in the scriptures – come on– the night of Jesus’ betrayal and just prior to his own actual death and dying.
And in this moment – of what must have been “certain agony, fear and pain” and a “troubling of the spirit” knowing what he will be facing – Jesus takes the time “to comfort his followers” with a message of “peace.”
Amazing. I tell you!
His faith is in God. His faith is unshakeable.
God is not going to abandon him. God will be with him – no matter what he goes through in this life.
God will be present. God is bigger than anything he could possibly face.
The “peace” that Jesus is speaking of -enables believers to remain calm in the most wildly-fearful-circumstances.
It was typical of people being crucified to cuss and swear at those crucifying them. It was understandable when they swore at the people passing by. They talked back, they pleaded they made bargains. They spewed hate. Only Jesus would pray for their forgiveness…
Somehow even from the cross of crucifixion – Jesus managed to find a sense of peacefulness.
Amazing. Simply amazing. And we too, can have this sense of peace! May you be found at peace this day! Amen