Text- Isaiah 26:3 – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee.”
It won’t be wrong to say that there is no peace in this world. And then, we can easily blame our own lack of peace on that when in fact, we are part of the reason why the world has not known peace.
We have heard of the Adolf Hitlers, Osama bin Ladens, and Sadam Husseins of this world, and we may not be as bad and brutal as them, but every little quarrel you instigate; every strife you get into; every contention and animosity you support is part of the reason why there is no peace in the world… It is part of the reason why even you have not experienced perfect peace.
The point is, rather than talk about world peace on a large scale. Why not let’s focus on personal peace first, and see how that peace with glow through us, and radiate from us.
In another twist however, we know from scriptures that this world cannot have perfect peace until Christ comes back in His glory and is crowned as king over all nations. But while we are still here in this broken world, we can experience perfect peace, and shine as light for others to see.
This brings me to the fifth leg on which perfect peace stands
5. SEEK PEACE WHERE THERE IS NONE
Whenever peace is compromises, don’t just follow the flow, break the flow instead. Bible tells us in Psalm 34:14, “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
There are people and places that are generally hostile. When you find yourself in such places, don’t allow the hostility to rub off on you. It may be that you live in a hostile neighborhood, work with a hostile boss, marry into a hostile family, and so on… when you find yourself in such a place, don’t let the atmosphere change you, you should rather change the atmosphere.
The use of the word ‘seek’ in Psalm 34:14 show that there are times that peace won’t be easy to find. The use of the word ‘pursue’ further shows that peace may even sometimes seem to be on the run, moving farther and farther away, and you would have to pursue it.
In short, seeking peace takes a lot of patience and perseverance. But you see, except you commit to seek peace even when there is none, you may not enjoy the reality of perfect peace.
When you seek peace always, it doesn’t matter how much chaos is going on around you; it doesn’t matter how much hostility there is in your neighborhood, school, office, etc. you, as an individual will have perfect peace of mind.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me perfect peace. I ask for grace to reflect that peace as I go out today, and every day of my life. Father, help me as I commit to seek peace even where there is none in Jesus Name.
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