True Peace

The Nobel Peace Prize is now publicly a joke, although it's actually been a joke for a long time. There are individuals throughout history who have truly sought peace, even though total world peace in this life is an unattainable dream.

So how does one find true peace? Especially in these tumultuous and unsettling times?

The night before He died, Jesus spoke to the apostles and His words are recorded to give us comfort today: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Paul later wrote, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

In other words, trouble in this life will happen. It's unavoidable because the devil never takes a day off. His one goal is to take down as many people as he possibly can. And he has many, many willing accomplices who have given their lives to the greedy pursuit of wealth and power. They don't care who they hurt, as long as they "get theirs."

God never promised us an easy life here. On the contrary, He promised that things would be difficult: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (II Timothy 3:12-13)

The remedy? Turn to the LORD with all of our hearts and realize that this life is a brief sojourn on the way to our eternal home in heaven. Paul wrote this while in prison:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

I like the bumper sticker that says, "Know Christ, Know Peace."

This is the kind of peace, the only true peace, that matters. How we need it more than ever!