“Peace”… need I say more?
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. (Psalm 23.2,3).
A true, deep peace of mind, heart, and consciousness is desperately rare today. Every year over 200 million working days are lost due to depression and mental illness alone cost employers anywhere from $17-44 billion. The bill for tranquilizing medication is up to $16 billion each year.
These verses breathe a glorious atmosphere of peace. Lying down suggests contentment and rest. Green pastures speak of the tender, sweet grasses which are always rich, fresh, and satisfying. There is nothing stagnant about the quiet waters mentioned here; they’re refreshing and peaceful. Restoring makes one think of something broken being mended. Today we see all around us broken hearts, homes, marriages, lives, and health.
Only Jesus can make these magnificent promises come true for us. The New Testament is full of references to the peace He offers. The gospel is called the “gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6.15). Six times God is called the “God of peace” (e.g. Philippians 4.9). The fruit of the Holy Spirit includes peace (Galatians 5.22). The most common greeting in the New Testament letters is “grace and peace” (e.g. Colossians 1.2). Jesus promised peace to His disciples (John 14.27; 16.33), and Paul prayed that the Christians in Rome and Colossae would be filled with peace (Romans 14.17; Colossians 3.15)
Peace is an essential attribute of the godly woman or man. Without it our thoughts, speech, and actions will reflect fear, selfishness, greed, suspicion, and/or restlessness. Peace cultivates compassion, self-sacrifice, fortitude, and risk. It allows us to exercise strength beneficially rather than destructively. Peace brings freedom to love beyond the boundaries of our current circumstances.
On the night in which Jesus was betrayed, John records, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.” (John 13.3-6). Here is a picture of a man at peace!
Would you take a moment right now to ask the Lord to give you peace for any area that is fraught with turbulence. And then look around you this week— at home, at play, and at work— I think you will see that you are surrounded by people who are looking for peace. Do you realize that you can make a difference in their lives? You know the One who gives peace unconditionally.
