Peace: October 6, 2010

Today's Word for Wednesday October 6, 2010

PEACE

DEFINITION

Freedom from war or civil disorder; harmony in human relations; tranquility; quietness; not quarrelsome.

SCRIPTURE

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 6: 24-26.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

In these verses we read about the blessing that God gave Moses to teach Aaron and his sons and how they were to speak to bless the children of Israel. They were to communicate these words to them as they completed their worship of God. Many pastors today use this blessing given by God through Moses in their church today. Worshippers desire to leave their churches knowing they have the peace of God in their hearts as they go out to face the evil world we all live in.

Adam and Eve knew what it was to have God's perfect peace. In the Garden of Eden they walked and talked with God because they were in the right relationship with Him. They had the joy of fellowship with the Lord.

When the world thinks of peace, it is considered to be the opposite of war and to be a time of absence from conflict. Peace is what the world desires. Many peace treaties have been made, but all the peace treaties in the world cannot give the assurance of real and lasting peace.

God is the author of peace and Satan is the author of discord and conflict. When Eve listened to Satan who caused Adam and Eve to sin they became in conflict with God. They not only lost their peace with God but every man or woman born since is born into sin and is in conflict with God. The only way to resolve our conflict with God is to get back into a personal relationship with Him. God offers us a peace treaty to make that possible. We just have to accept the terms.

In war, peace is obtained by surrender. Peace treaties as a rule require reparations to be paid. When God sent His Son to die on the cross to make a peace treaty with us Jesus paid all the reparations for every sin, for every person. The terms for receiving peace with God are simple and uncomplicated. All we must do is acknowledge we are sinners and surrender our lives to Jesus and accept Him as our Savior making Him Lord of our lives. When we are free from the guilt of sin than we can fully understand the meaning of the blessing of peace spoken by Moses in the verse we have written above.

Most people in our world today are searching for peace. Never have we seen more frustrations in people's lives. Truly, many people are hurting and because they are hurting, they are searching for peace in their personal lives and for their families. If you are one of those people it is our prayer that you might find that peace that comes from developing a personal relationship with Jesus.

Isaiah (26:3) tells us that "You (God) will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You (God)." After the death and resurrection of Jesus just before His ascension into heaven Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you." John 14:27. The apostle Paul in Philippians 4:7 reminds us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We do not live in a peaceful world. Countries are fighting each other. Cultures are in conflict with one another. Families are at war among themselves. There is only one answer to the conflicts that we face today in our world. The answer is found in Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace. He will be returning to this earth bringing peace. Many will promise peace, as the scriptures say, but Jesus is the only one that can bring peace to hurting and lonely people.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:17.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him.

PRAYER

Thank You for the peace that You have given me because I have accepted You as my Savior and have been restored to fellowship with You. Help me to serve You faithfully and continue to walk close to You so that others may see in me the peace that You can give to anyone who puts his trust in You.