Advent Week 2: Peace.
Peace. Shalom. Nothing missing. Nothing broken. Complete. Whole. A state of wellbeing.
Once upon a time, in a far away land, Adam and Eve were living in true bliss and paradise. They were in full communion with God. Complete, whole, nothing missing or broken in their relationship with God. When they both chose to disobey God, sin entered the world for good. We were thus all born into sin and that sin separated us from God. It broke our relationship and right standing with God. The huge chasm between man and God meant we didn’t have true peace.
We tried to atone for our debt and sins with many animal sacrifices, but none proved truly and eternally sufficient. God told Isaiah that one day he would send the ultimate sacrifice and that among other names, he would be the Prince of Peace. He would be the piece/peace that filled the gap between man and God, restoring perfect shalom. We all know the story of Jesus and know he would not stay on this earth in human form forever. With His resurrection, He did not take all peace with Him but rather left peace with us through the Holy Spirit. The very spirit of God that carries perfect peace, lives inside all who accept him. That means we are able to walk in peace as long as we carry His presence. Where the presence of God is, peace will be found.
Peace is not the absence of problems.
Peace is the realization of God with you. Immanuel. When you realize God is always with you, you can experience peace no matter your circumstances. Life is chaotic and stressful and unpredictable but you don’t have to be. God is with you and so is peace.
Peace is not the same as happiness.
Can you imagine being in a state of constant peace? Not the artificial kind we try to conjure up to convince ourselves everything is okay. It’s not a state of happiness. Happiness has to depend on external situations. If things are going well, I will be happy. If things are not going well, I will not experience happiness. That is because happiness is a human emotion and peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. True peace is supernatural confidence in the work of Jesus on the cross. If I put my confidence in the finished work of Jesus, anxiety has no room because I know that Jesus is with me. Shame and guilt have no place when I know I have already been redeemed. Therefore, peace is your rightful inheritance through salvation. It’s perfect peace that is confident in One who lives.
If you are needing peace right now, the key to getting it is remembering who is with you. Take a second to see and feel God right in the moment you are in. At that time, with that realization, shalom will take over. Wholeness. Lacking nothing. Not because of any outside influence, but because of who lives inside of you…
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
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