Peace. Every human heart longs for it. Every family desires it. Every community thrives when they live in it. Every nation needs it. And only God can give it.
Recently I was talking with a woman whose heart was tormented by something she was going through. What she was longing for was peace.
As I joined a dear friend who was sitting on the bathroom floor, painfully plagued with a passion for a man that was not her husband, I heard the cry of her heart as she searched for how to make it stop. What she was desperate for was peace.
While listening to a woman who had come to my office for some advice share the tales of her difficult and dysfunctional family, I could tell how frustrated and heart-broken she was. What she was looking for was peace.
When I turned on the evening news and watched the obvious political division of our country, the crime ridden neighborhoods looking for solutions and the local school board at war with one another, I couldn’t help but notice a theme. They are all craving peace.
The nation of Israel has longed for peace throughout its history.
World leaders have sought peace through the ages.
The human heart is desperate for peace and many times doesn’t even realize it.
We have all worn ourselves out pursuing peace.
But peace is only found in Jesus Christ.
Peace with God and the peace of God.
PEACE WITH GOD:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1 (NKJV ~ Emphasis mine)
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” Ephesians 2:13-14 (NKJV ~ Emphasis mine)
PEACE OF GOD:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV ~ Emphasis mine)
We all chase after peace. But Jesus came to not only give us PEACE WITH GOD, but to BE our PEACE and to enable us to experience the PEACE OF GOD that gives us the rest our souls so desperately needs.
We all deal with anxious and empty hearts. We all grow restless and weary as we chase after peace. But the very need we have for peace is exactly one of the things that drives us to the foot of the cross where we find Jesus, the Prince of Peace, ready to not only give us peace with God, but to be the very peace we are looking for.
I don’t know what you’re going through right now, but if you’re weary, worn out or overwhelmed…if you’re worried, worked up or ready to give up…Jesus is there for you…waiting with His arms wide open…ready to give you the peace your heart so desperately needs.
How can I pray for you? What is your heart wrestling with today? Has today’s post helped you see the peace of God and peace with God any differently?
Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing these thoughts on the peace which comes from God. I have been struggling with a health issue, not of a critical nature, but something that has been wearing me down for weeks now. As I read your post I said in the midst of this health issue I can have the peace of God. And I thank Him for that peace today.
Beautiful invitation to the peace of Jesus Christ, Stephanie. We all need to hear this truth.