This certainly gives a much broader and
meaningful understanding to the word instead of using our common English
definitions. We might try to use
synonyms for this word and say, friendship, truce, unity, armistice, treaty, or
some other word, however the true essence of the word is still not fully
satisfied by the use of such terms.
The problem that usually develops is that
we all WANT peace, but most people look for peace in the wrong
places. Many think that by simply
avoiding conflict they will obtain the peace they are seeking. Others feels that perhaps there is a need to
be in some “special” location before peace can be achieved. While, to some degree, either or both of
these conditions may be more susceptible to cultivating peace than others, more
is needed for true peace to be part of our very being.
Often the problem stems from the fact that
we are not looking at the source of peace - - - our Creator! Many don’t realize that man-made peace is not
lasting. You only have to look at history
to see what man has been unable to accomplish.
In the reality of God’s understanding man’s quest for peace will lead to
just the opposite. 1 Thessalonians 5:3
states: “Whenever it is that they are saying ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden
destruction is to be instantly on them.”
However, the very opposite is true of the
peace that our Creator, Jehovah promises to bring. It will be everlasting. Micah 4:3 states: “He [God] will render
judgment among many peoples and set matters straight respecting mighty nations
far away. They will beat their swords
into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
Nor will they learn war anymore.” Psalm 37:11 adds: “But the meek will possess
the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”
The reason we can have such a condition
for our future and in fact can have even now within our lives is highlighted
for us from the source of peace. “The
peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts.”
[Philippians 4:7] We are also told that peace is a fruitage of God’s spirit
(Galatians 5:22,23) and “against such things there is no law.”
Yes, with God’s help we can display peace
forever and there will never be any limitation on the amount of good-will and
compassion we can show to our fellow man.
The real problem develops when we turn our back on the very source of true
peace we have. Why would we ever do such
a thing? Deuteronomy 29:18 in part says:
“Beware that there may not be a man or a woman, a family or a tribe among you
today whose heart turns away from Jehovah our God to go serve the gods of those
nations.” We may choose to leave the
very source of real peace and try to seek for ourselves a counterfeit source of
peace. We may choose to fool ourselves
into thinking that we can provide for ourselves what God has already made abundantly
available to us. It’s possible that we
would fall prey to the fact that we’re only human!
QUOTE TO CONSIDER
THOUGHTFUL GEM
"In addition to our hope for peace,
our desire for peace,
our prayers for peace,
we must be peacemakers!"
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