◄ What Does 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Mean? ►

From the dawn of mankind, there is probably nothing more sought after in this world at war, than peace. Nations have fought bitter wars for the sake of peace and lives have been lost in a vain pursuit after peace. But the peace that is offered by this world's system, is a false, fragile, imperfect, pseudo-peace, that leaves in its wake a hungry heart and a disappointed soul.

The God of Peace started to unveil Himself as, "The Lord our Peace", to the frightened Gideon, and He expanded man's understanding of peace to David the shepherd-king, who discovered Him to be the One Who gently leads us beside still and peaceful waters. And God's promise through Isaiah has encouraged the hearts of countless generations of believers, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee."

It was the shed blood of the holy Lamb of God, that great Shepherd of the sheep, Who was sent into the world by the Father, so that fallen man could have peace with God. God purposed that through the intervention of the Son, all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, and so He sent Jesus to bring about peace with men, who were dead in their trespasses and sins.

It was Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, Who knocked down the middle wall of partition between God and man. He tore the curtain of separation from top to bottom, so that we, who believe on Him, may be comforted by our great God of peace. He inaugurated for us a new and living way through the veil of His physical body, when He died on the cross and rose again, the third day.

It was the heavenly Man, Who equipped us in every good thing to do His will. And in the fullness of time, God sent the Prince of Peace to be born of a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem, as the sacrifice for the sin of mankind. He came in dishonour and shame, so that at the appointed time He would be exalted as the Lord of Peace and crowned as the King of Peace, for He is the God of peace and the wellspring of peace.

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance," was Paul's prayer and blessing for the Thessalonian believers, as he prepared to draw his letter to a close, "May the Lord be with you all!" Like Christians today, the believers at Thessalonica were living in tough, and turbulent times, and the apostle knew that the church needed the Author of peace to guide His people, sustain their spirits, and grant His perfect peace from above.

It was the Prince of Peace Himself that promised to leave His own perfect peace with His confused disciples. "Peace I leave with you", were the reassuring words He spoke to them, as the shadow of the cross loomed closer. "My peace I give to you. Not the peace the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  And this same assurance is given to all God's children who are seeking to serve the Lord of Peace, as we live in a world at war and a world without hope.

Christ gave His disciples His own precious promise of peace. But His peace is not the war-torn peace of this world, but inner peace, a perfect peace - a peace that is beyond our understanding. Jesus promised to give us the peace of God to guard our hearts - a peace that brings comfort and rest, refreshment, and hope - a perfect inner peace that transcends humanity's comprehension - both now and forevermore.

Now, may the Lord of peace Himself give YOU peace at all times, and in all ways. May the peace of the Lord be with us all, now and forever, and may the perfect peace of God rule in our hearts, in the unity of the Spirit.

Heavenly Father, I praise You with all my heart, for Your indwelling Spirit of Peace. This hurting world has lost its way in its vain pursuit of a pseudo-peace, that can never satisfy. O how I long for the world to realise, it is only Your perfect peace that can satisfy. May I shed Your peace in my life, to all I come into contact with. May the peace of God, which passes all human understanding, guard and govern our hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus our Lord and for His greater glory. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.