“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NLT)
Peace is a familiar theme in this season of the year. When the angel came to the shepherds to announce the Savior’s birth, the Bible says: “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” (Luke 2:13-14 NLT) This raises some questions in my mind.
How do we “work for peace?” Who are “those with whom God is pleased?” What is the source of peace? Is this peace more than the absence of conflict? How do we tap into this peace?
The avenue of peace is prayer. Prayer and peace are inextricably interwoven, so much so it’s hard to tell where one stops and the other starts. Prayer ushers us into the presence of the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ. Wherever Jesus is, there is peace.
Has it become clear to you that Jesus equals peace, thus no Jesus equals chaos and unrest, individually and globally? There will be no world peace until the Prince of Peace, the title used by Isaiah in reference to Jesus, returns. Does that mean we sit idly by and watch Satan usher the world into conflict and turmoil? Absolutely not! We work for peace, but how?
The first step toward working for peace is understanding the opposite of peace isn’t conflict, it’s lostness. Solomon, speaking of wisdom, said in Proverbs 1:33: “But all who listen to me (God’s wisdom) will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” When we lose our way, the result is often fear. Fear of harm, fear of the unknown, fear of trouble we’re not equipped to handle.
The road to peace and wisdom begins at the feet of Jesus. Worshipping and seeking the Prince of Peace through prayer, meditation and study of God’s Word, the Bible, are the antidotes to lostness, loneliness, fear, conflict of spirit, and lack of peace through whatever source it may come.
Working for peace is essentially allowing the Holy Spirit, who indwells every person who is a follower of Jesus, to demonstrate the peace only God can give, in our interactions with those whose lives our life intersects from day to day. Peace isn’t simply the absence of conflict, it’s the manifest presence of the living God.
A believer in Jesus will have peace in the midst of whatever storm comes, in direct proportion to the amount of trust in and dependence upon Jesus, they’ve allowed Him to give them. Working for peace isn’t what we do, it’s who we are in Jesus. He IS the source of peace! Jesus said shortly before His death: “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
Have you received this gift of peace only Jesus can give? It’s yours for the asking. Open your heart and mind to Jesus, allowing Him to do in, through and on your behalf what you will never be able to accomplish on your own. Click the link below to watch a brief video that will help you understand more clearly how a relationship with Jesus can enable you to be a brand-new creation in Christ Jesus.
The prayer of peace begins with a willingness to yield your life and allegiance to the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus. Please click on the link below to learn more how to do that. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 