God is the Source of True Peace

The longing for peace is a universal desire deeply ingrained within human nature. It is a longing that transcends cultural, ethnic, and religious boundaries. From the youngest child to the oldest adult, people desire harmony, tranquility, and well-being. We all want peace, but let’s be honest, the temporal peace that the world offers never truly satisfies.

At the heart of our longing for peace is a desire to find inner rest and tranquility. In the midst of life’s challenges, uncertainties, and pressures, many of us long for a break from the inner turmoil that can weigh us down. We long for a calmness that surpasses understanding, a sense of serenity that allows us to navigate life’s storms with grace and strength.

Faith Fact: To experience true lasting peace, we need to start at the source.

“So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace…” Judges 6:24

The phrase The-LORD-Is-Peace is the Hebrew name for God, Jehovah Shalom. God doesn’t just give us peace, He IS peace. He is the source of true peace.

The Apostle Paul’s letters are rich with references to God as the source of peace. In Romans 15:33, he writes, “Now the God of peace be with you all.” This simple yet profound statement summarizes the essence of God’s nature—peace. It signifies that God’s character is not defined by violence, strife, or conflict, but by tranquility, harmony, and reconciliation.

Similarly, in Philippians 4:9, Paul urges the believers to follow his example and emulate what they have learned, received, heard, and seen in him. By doing so, they would not only be walking in obedience but also inviting the presence of the God of peace into their lives. This verse emphasizes that by living in accordance with the principles of peace, believers can experience the transformative presence of God.

Also, in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prays that the God of peace Himself would sanctify them entirely, preserving their spirit, soul, and body blameless until the return of Jesus Christ. Here, Paul highlights the comprehensive nature of peace that God offers—an all-encompassing peace that permeates every aspect of life.

It is not uncommon for people to read the Old Testament and struggle with reconciling the portrayal of a loving God with the accounts of war, destruction, and punishment found within its pages. Many individuals question how one can believe in a God who seems to be contradictory in nature. However, this perspective often arises from a limited understanding of the Scriptures and a failure to fully grasp the nature of Jehovah Shalom.

The name Jehovah Shalom is a powerful reminder that peace is an inherent aspect of God’s character. It signifies that God is not a God of chaos, violence, or destruction, but rather a God who seeks to bring harmony, restoration, and wholeness to His creation. His desire is to establish shalom, a comprehensive peace that encompasses every aspect of our lives.

When people make the claim that God is a God of war and destruction, it often stems from a lack of personal encounter with Jehovah Shalom. True understanding and appreciation of God’s nature can only come through a deep, intimate relationship with Him. It is in the moments of encountering His presence, experiencing His love, and being enveloped by His peace that the misconceptions about God’s character begin to fade away.

Let us remember this truth: Know God – Know Peace, No God – No Peace.

Knowing God is intimately linked to knowing peace. As we draw closer to Him, we come to understand the depths of His peace, a peace that surpasses human understanding and transcends the circumstances of life. In His presence, we find solace, strength, and a quiet confidence that He is in control, working all things together for good.

Let this be our prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart filled with gratitude for the peace that You alone provide. You are the source of all peace, the One who calms our storms, and the One who brings tranquility to my restless soul. I acknowledge that true and lasting peace can only be found in You.

In a world often consumed by turmoil and discord, I find rest in Your unchanging nature as the God of peace. Your very essence radiates tranquility, harmony, and reconciliation. You are the One who speaks peace into my chaos, who brings healing to my brokenness, and who restores my weary spirit.

Lord, I confess that at times I seek peace in the wrong places. I strive for peace through my achievements, possessions, or the acceptance of others. But I recognize that true peace can only come from You. Forgive me for the times I have neglected to turn to You, the true source of peace.

Today, I surrender my worries, anxieties, and fears into Your loving hands. I lay before You the burdens that weigh me down and the conflicts that disrupt my relationships. Fill me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Help me, O Lord, to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with You. Teach me to trust in Your perfect love, to rest in Your sovereignty, and to find peace in the assurance of Your presence. May Your peace rule in my heart, guiding my thoughts, words, and actions.

As I experience Your peace, may it overflow from my life and touch the lives of those around me. Use me as an instrument of peace in a broken world, helping to mend relationships, promote justice, and extend forgiveness.

Lord, I also lift up those who are currently experiencing turmoil, conflict, or distress. Wrap them in Your arms of peace, bringing comfort to their troubled hearts. Speak Your words of peace into their lives, guiding them towards reconciliation, healing, and restoration.

I thank You, Jehovah Shalom, for the gift of Your peace. May it sustain me in every season, empowering me to live as a peacemaker and ambassador of Your love. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, I pray.

Amen.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does understanding God as Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace, challenge common misconceptions about God’s nature as portrayed in the Old Testament?
2. In what ways can we practically apply Paul’s teachings on peace in our daily lives? How do forgiveness, unity, reconciliation, and gratitude contribute to experiencing God’s peace?
3. Reflect on a time when you personally encountered God’s peace in the midst of a chaotic or challenging situation. How did that experience shape your understanding of Jehovah Shalom?
4. Why is it important to differentiate between the absence of conflict and the presence of true peace? How can we strive for the latter in our relationships, communities, and the world at large?
5. Discuss the relationship between knowing God and experiencing peace. How does an intimate knowledge of God’s character and teachings influence our ability to find inner peace and extend it to others?
6. How can we overcome the perception that God is solely a God of punishment and destruction? How does understanding God as the God of peace inform our understanding of His justice and love?
7. In what ways can the concept of peace be misunderstood or misused in today’s society? How can we, as followers of Christ, promote a holistic understanding of peace that encompasses justice, reconciliation, and well-being?
8. Share examples from Paul’s life and teachings that exemplify his pursuit of peace and his reliance on God as the source of peace. How can we draw inspiration from his example in our own lives?
9. Discuss the significance of Paul’s prayers for the believers, where he invokes the God of peace to sanctify and preserve them. How does this prayer encompass the holistic nature of God’s peace and His desire for our complete well-being?
10. How can we actively seek to deepen our relationship with Jehovah Shalom and cultivate a greater awareness of His peace in our lives? What spiritual disciplines or practices can help us maintain a sense of peace amidst the challenges and uncertainties of life?