Mankind seeks peace in a world at war. In the last 4000 years of recorded history, there have been approximately 8,000 peace treaties, 14,000 wars, and over a billion casualties. People everywhere search for peace. Peace is man’s highest hope and his fondest dream. And most days it seems so hard to achieve. If we ask, “What’s wrong with the world today?” many will point to poverty, illiteracy, poor governance, oppression, discrimination, terrorism, Corona, religious and political violence, corruption, disappearing rainforests, poor diets, lack of healthcare, broken families, overcrowded institution, and more. The world tries to fix these problems by doing good: feeding and educating children, building wells, regulating markets, conserving wildlife, funding charter schools, and thereby achieving a type of peace.
Everyone wants peace. Whether you’re a national leader sitting across a table from other world leaders, a businessman facing the pressures and deadlines at the office, a homemaker trying to discipline the kids, or a student just trying to make it through the semester, everyone wants peace. The world’s peace tries to fix the symptoms of sin but fails to see how the root of the problem, is something that can only be healed by God alone —not by education, law, money, regulation, or reform. Dealing with the symptoms of sin but failing to diagnose the sin itself is not new. In the Old Testament, the false prophets treated sin “lightly” and proclaimed the problem “solved” when it wasn’t: “They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14).
Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash. (Ezekiel 13:10) Our day is like Jeremiah’s, in that people cry “Peace, peace when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). Our cities are the most modern in the world, yet the streets are unsafe. Our communication technology is unsurpassed, but there has never been more confusion and misunderstanding.
Young or old, male or female, we’ve all experienced the pain of a broken promise. No matter how much our families, friends, and co-workers love us, at some point, someone will disappoint us. And despite our best intentions, we are likely to disappoint someone else by saying one thing and doing another. God’s Word, however, can be trusted. He never contradicts himself or acts in a way that is out of character. He will never disappoint. God doesn’t ignore our sin—he heals it, making his peace a different kind of peace from what we find in the world. God’s peace is ours because Jesus heals our root of sin.
In a world of chaos and instability, there is a peace that exceeds all human understanding – the supernatural peace that God offers through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) The peace offered by the world is an empty promise and can only bring temporary comfort. God offers peace in the midst of chaos. His peace doesn’t change with the circumstances; it is secure in spite of the circumstances. Bible says “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
What is peace, really? We can look at it through a common lens and characterize it as calmness, quietness, tranquillity, and contentment. Or, we can look at it through a Biblical lens and discover the true peace that God offers – God’s peace is built on the sure foundation of his Word. In contrast to the world’s promise of peace, God’s peace is permanent and firmly grounded in his holy Word. His Word says “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble”. (Psalm 119:165) There is a very specific condition attached to the promise of great peace. This “great peace” is given only to those who love God’s law. We have peace when we follow God’s instruction. How wonderful and how appropriate are the words. Great peace have they who love God’s law. Nothing shall offend them. Nothing will cause them to stumble. Nothing can defeat them. Because the Word of God is their foundation, they are completely secure.
Bishop Lalachan Abraham
