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 Finding Peace in a Restless World (March 22, 2023)

 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)  

To live a genuine Christian lifestyle is to seek continually to abide in peace and harmony with Almighty God and each other. However, peace is foreign to what’s happening in much of the world today. We live on a war-torn planet that abounds in conflict, unrest, and strife. Wars and military conflicts are raging in many parts of today’s volatile world, most notably in Ukraine where the shameful Russian assault has generated outrage for more than a year. Jesus said that, among the signs of the approach of the end of the age, we “will hear of wars and rumors of wars…for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (Matthew 24:6-7) Living in a world where we hear daily, if not experience directly, news of death, destruction, and despair, how can we find peace? True peace is not of earthly origin; it is otherworldly, coming from the spiritual realm as the gift of a gracious God. 

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 

Peace is the state of tranquility of spirit that transcends shifting worldly circumstances. God’s peace allows us to live above the realities that we are experiencing whether we are going through joyful or sorrowful seasons of life. A part of God’s nature, peace stems not from anything this Satan-dominated world offers but from living close to the LORD in obedient submission to His will. “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) The presence of God’s Spirit living in believers is the source of unspeakable peace that is the product of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Once alienated and separated from God by our sins, we have peace with our righteous heavenly Father through faith in Christ who died so that we could enjoy reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal salvation. In Christ alone, we find abundant peace that comforts our hearts, quiets our minds, and soothes our souls in the midst of raging storms! 

“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)



 

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