Two definitions of peace--1 from a man-written dictionary and the other from the divine inspiration of God:
1.peace (from Bing online dictionary)
[ peess ]
freedom from war: freedom from war, or the time when a war or conflict ends
tranquility: a calm and quiet state, free from disturbances or noise
mental calm: a state of mental calm and serenity, with no anxiety
2.Most know that the Hebrew word shalom is understood around the world to mean "peace." However, "peace" is only one small part of the meaning .According to Strong's Concordance 7965 Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony.
Last year at Christmas as I was dealing with the loss of my father as well as some other life disappointments, I found myself lacking peace. I was desperately longing for the type of peace that the world defines as a "state of mental calm with no anxiety." Basically I was hoping to find peace by no longer having troubles, hard circumstances, and pain. Freedom from....fill in the blank.
However, the bible clearly states in the book of John, 33 “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.”
None of us are exempt from trouble...that is a biblical fact. However, the bible is also filled with many promises of shalom-peace. Including the biblical account of Jesus' birth where the angels are proclaiming the good news to the shepherds saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14.
This is not the type of peace the world tries to deliver that requires the ABSENCE of something. It is the shalom kind of peace that God offers. The complete, whole, perfect, filling type of peace. Not the absence of something, but the presence of the only One who can complete and fill us with that type of tranquility and rest that we all long for.
This Christmas I am resting more in His promises than struggling to figure out the why's of difficulties. I am not praying for the absence of difficulties but rather for the filling up of the Holy Spirit...daily...hourly...to truly experience rest.
Are you struggling to find peace this Christmas season? Are you grasping at a peace that can only occur if there is the absence of something? Peace on Earth is only possible in the souls of those who know God as their Saviour. John 6:38-40 says it like this: 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Look to the Son and believe in him and you too can have eternal life...and while you're here...Peace on Earth! And that's a promise from the Prince of Peace himself--"Sar Shalom."
Merry Christmas!
