The concept of Peace is regularly in front of us in the media – Peace in the Middle East, in Ukraine, between India and Pakistan, in some African countries and lately in the USA.
This refers to a situation of lack of conflict – no fighting.
We also hear of the worry about peace from house invasions and other reported crimes.
In each of these cases, peace is something between two parties – two countries or two people or groups of people.
But within all of this there is a peace that is far better than this no conflict peace.
That is the Peace that comes from God.
The Hebrew/Israeli greeting or farewell word “Shalom” tries to show this.
It means literally, “may you be full of well-being” or “may health and prosperity be upon you.”
But it goes further than that encompassing concepts like harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity.
One wonders whether in the 60s when the word “Peace” was bandied around so much with the two fingered “Peace” sign, whether it meant all of that.
How wonderful it would be for these peace qualities to be an integral part of not only all of our daily lives, but the standards of all of the countries of the world.
However, there is one peace even greater than these.
That is the Peace of God.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give it to you” (John 14.27).
This peace is so deep that we are reminded that it is beyond our understanding, but we certainly know when we have it.
So now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. (2Thessalonians 3:16)
