The gift of peace

I am listening to what the LORD God is saying; he promises peace to us, his own people, if we do not go back to our foolish ways. Surely he is ready to save those who honour him, and his saving presence will remain in our land.   (verses 8,9)

Read Psalm 85: 8-13

When we listen to what God is saying in his word, we discover that his heartfelt desire is to give us his peace. However, God’s peace is more than just a calm feeling, it’s deeper than just the absence of stress. The peace God promises us is wholeness and completeness, so that we become what God originally meant us to be.

Such peace can only come as a gift through Jesus, who says, ‘Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does (John 14:27). We cannot manufacture this peace by ourselves through relaxation or stress reduction techniques. It’s a gift, received in faith and maintained through obedience to our Lord.

If we ‘go back to our foolish ways’, we are rejecting this gift. We cannot be at peace while running away from the one who gives peace. But in walking Jesus’ way, we are promised peace that will survive every stress and trouble that comes our way.

Father in heaven, give us that peace which the world cannot give, and set our hearts to obey your commandments. Amen.

by Linards Jansons, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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