A couple of weeks ago, about two minutes after I saw the world leaders gathered in Egypt to sign peace agreements, a phrase (actually a portion of a verse from the Bible), came to my mind:
“peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” [Jeremiah 8:11b]
Having no desire to be a ‘Debbie Downer’, I will have to admit that I am not confident that peace is actually at hand. And I get my clue not only from common sense, but mostly from the teaching of Jesus when He was asked about the End times:
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birthpains.” [Matthew 24:7-8]
In spite of these peace agreements, there remain millions of people who would like nothing more than to see Israel wiped off the map. Including millions in America. Does that sound like a good foundation of peace to you?
So, are you feeling uplifted yet? Let’s try to get there. There is not much, if anything, we as individuals can do about achieving world peace. But I propose there is something we can do about our individual peace. Peace with family, with friends, with neighbors, and most importantly of all, peace with God. Absorb what Jesus taught about the peace that He provides:
“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.” [John 14:27] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” [Matthew 5:9]
Having concerns about peace in the world? Start with peace in the Word.
Peace,
–Keith
P.S.–I want to share a statement I recently read that blew my mind (and still does): “Understand that when you pray to God, you have His undivided attention.”