Do you want peace?

Who doesn’t, right?

It might be helpful, though, to define what we mean by peace. When I think of peace, I envision nothing stressful going on–no pressure, no conflict, a time of ease, of having enough (provisions, time, etc.).

Life isn’t always like that, though, is it?

We can pray for peace:

• “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

But the Bible also tells us to pursue peace:

• “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

Here are some ways to do that.

First, we acknowledge that peace is found in Jesus Christ.

• “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

• “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

• “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility” (Ephesians 2:14-16).

• “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Jesus said His peace is not like the world’s (John 14:27). His peace doesn’t mean all the circumstances will be calm and favorable. But even during tribulation, we can have His peace.

Peace is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit:

• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Peace is a byproduct of faith:

• “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

• “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

God often gives peace through His Word. When we don’t feel peaceful, what are we feeding our minds? What are we focusing on?

• “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

• “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

We also find peace in surrendering to God. Sometimes my inner conflict comes when a situation isn’t working out like I wanted, or when I fear what God might ask of me. But when I turn my anxieties and fears and all the possible outcomes over to Him, I can rest in His wisdom and love.

• “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5b-7).

Sometimes peace comes after discipline. When something isn’t right between us and another person, peace isn’t restored until we can talk the situation out and apologize. It’s similar with God. When we’re knowingly doing something we shouldn’t, or not doing what we should, we won’t be at peace with Him until we confess it and ask forgiveness. Sometimes our trouble is God’s discipline to bring us back to a right place with Him.

• “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10-11).

• “Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18).

Let me say here, though, that if we have a sense that something isn’t right between us and God, the best thing to do is ask Him to search us and show us what’s wrong, and then wait quietly to see what He brings to mind. He wants us to be right with Him, so He convicts specifically. A general sense of unease without specific conviction may be a result of filling our minds with other things besides His truth.

There’s much more that could be said about spiritual peace. There are 361 verses in the ESV containing the word “peace,” not to mention verses that talk about it without naming it, allude to it, or use a different word. But these give us the main gist of biblical peace.

God sent Jesus to make the way by which sinful people can have peace with a holy, sinless God. He took our punishment on Himself that we might be forgiven and made God’s children. Believing in Him, focusing on Him, beholding Him, spending time in His presence, getting to know more and more of who He is, filling our minds with His word, seeking His grace to obey it will all lead us to His peace.

May the LORD bless you and keep you;
may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

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