Dr. Jerimiah, the author of A Life Beyond Amazing, was in New York for a conference as he wrote this chapter on peace. He and his wife stayed in a hotel near Times Square and he drove an hour to Brooklyn to give a speech to a group of pastors. After he finished, he learned that a drunk driver had driven up on the curb, killed a woman, and injured many other people before crashing into the author’s hotel. As fear gripped him, he tried to contact his wife only to discover that the hotel was on lock down and Times Square was empty and cordoned off. Finally, he was able to speak with the hotel manager who was a friend. He was directed to an intersection two blocks from the hotel and told to ask for a certain police lieutenant. Arriving at the intersection, he met with the lieutenant who had a picture of the author. Scrutinizing the author and the picture for a few seconds the lieutenant allowed the author through the barricade. He was able to reunite with his wife.
While writing this chapter on peace, the author found himself gripped in the fear of a presumed terrorist attack, not knowing if his wife was harmed. Not knowing when he would see her again. The author realized that it is our responsibility to turn our hearts and minds back to God’s peace. Even in the most difficult times God can provide us with the peace and guidance that defies understanding.
God’s goal for humanity is that peace will cover the world. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace by Isaiah. Isaiah saw a new day when people would no longer make war or be at odds with each other.
Isaiah 2:4 NIV
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
This verse is engraved in the Isaiah Wall in the park across from the United Nations in New York City.
The world yearns for peace and has established monuments showing the great desire for peace. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of American’s desire to offer peace to refugees fleeing other countries. At the base of the Eiffel Tower there is a wall with the word Peace written in forty-nine languages. In Tokyo there is a statue with hands stretched towards heaven and the word AGAPE written in Japanese and Greek. Agape is a Greco-Christian term referring to love of God for man and man for God. Christ of the Andes is a giant statute to celebrate peace and hope. Washington D.C. has numerous peace monuments. We build one after each war.
Seeking peace is a noble yet difficult and complex task. Jesus said the peacemakers are blessed. Paul said we should live at peace if at all possible.
Matthew 5:9 NIV
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Romans 12:18 NIV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Even though we build monuments to peace and speak of the need for peace, it has been an elusive goal. The world seems to be more dangerous than ever before. We struggle for peace but we never seem to hold onto it for very long.
God’s peace is attainable. But we must work for it. It is given to us freely but as seeds in the ground must be watered and weeded, so we must work to grow the peace which is given to us. Search for peace and let it be the focus of your life. Do the things which are necessary and do not let the distractions of the world interfere with your search for peace.
Peace is the reason God set his son to earth. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When he was born in Bethlehem the angel sang of God’s peace and goodwill.
Luke 2:14 NIV
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The word peace in the English language means reconciliation, silence, agreement, or the absence of hostility. The Hebrew word Shalom defines when everything is set right. It means fulfillment, completion, maturity, soundness, wholeness, harmony, tranquility, security, well-being, welfare, friendship, agreement, success, and prosperity. The Hebrew word shalom has a deeper and more all-encompassing meaning than the English word peace.
This all-encompassing peace of shalom comes from God. It is offered to us through accepting Jesus as our savior. The Holy Spirit lives inside us and gives us the peace that we seek. We are responsible for accepting the peace, focusing on the peace, and developing it in our lives.
Sin broke the relationship with God and people but through Jesus that relationship is restored. This restoration provides us with access to the peace of God.
Isaiah 59:2 NIV
But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Romans 5:1 NIV
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Through Jesus, God has adopted us as his own. He works for our good and he is never against us. He is our father and we don’t need to be afraid anymore.
Colossians 1:19-22 NIV
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
When Paul was in a dark dungeon prison in Rome, he spoke of the peace of Christ.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In the midst of all confusion and distress we can have peace. We can exist as a calm island in the midst of the storm. The peace of God can be a guard over our hearts and minds against the assaults of guilt, worry, threat, confusion, or distress. Not only will we have the peace of God guarding our hearts, we will have the peace of God filling our hearts, providing us peace from the inside out.
There are four main ways to experience the peace of God.
1. The Spirit of God
2. The Son of God
3. The Word of God
4. Prayer to God
The Spirit of God
Jesus taught his disciples about the Spirit of God coming to live inside them. Jesus said that he knew the Holy Spirit and wanted the disciples to know the Holy Spirit also. Then they would understand what the Holy Spirit could do in their lives. Then they would have peace because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Peace. One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace. When the Spirit is in control of our lives, we will have inner peace.
Luke 11:13 NIV
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
John 14:26 NIV
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:33 NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The Son of God
The author saw a church billboard which said:
No Christ, No peace. Know Christ, know peace!
Christ prepared his disciples for his departure using the verses found in John 14:1 & 27
John 14:1 NIV
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
On page 78 of his book The Path of Peace, Henri Nouwen wrote the following:
“Keep your eyes on the prince of peace, the one who doesn’t cling to his divine power: the one who refuses to turn stones into bread, jump from great heights, and rule with great power; the one who touches the lame, the crippled and the blind; the one who speaks words of forgiveness and encouragement. Keep your eyes on him who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak. He is the source of all peace:.
When we stay focused on Christ and what he can do we have an invincible peace.
The Word of God
Focusing on the word of God will also give us peace. In the 27 books of the New Testament, 18 begin with a greeting of peace.
Philippians 1:2 NIV
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
2 John 3 NIV
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
The greeting always began with grace followed by peace because until we have experienced the saving grace of God, we cannot experience his peace.
The word peace occurs over three-hundred times in the Bible along with other words such as security, strength, and comfort. Memorizing some of these verses is one way to remind ourselves, during difficult times, of what God offers us. When we find it hard to focus, we can recite Bible verses about peace to help us refocus on Jesus and what he can do to turn our situation around for our good.
Prayer to God
Prayer is the fourth way to increase peace in our lives.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
The author was at O’Hare airport in Chicago when all flights were grounded due to a storm. He sat in the airport lounge with his computer and a cup of coffee. Looking out the window as the storm passed over, he realized that he was perfectly safe and comfortable in the midst of the storm. This is what God does for us by giving us his peace through the storm.
God offers us shelter from life’s storms. He does not say he will prevent all the storms from coming. He does say he will protect us in the midst of the storm. If we keep our minds and hearts on God, he will give us perfect peace.
Psalm 61:1-4 NIV
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
