Missing Peace Can Be Puzzling Indeed

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Missing Peace Can Be Puzzling Indeed

We can try to muster it up or manufacture it, but peace can’t be produced by physical means.

Peace is a person we pursue, not a posture we assume.

Peace is found in presence of God, not in the absence of trouble. (John 16:33)

Peace is made perfect in the person of Christ, and apart from Him, true peace will always be the missing piece.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬, NIV)

“For He Himself is our peace,” (Ephesians 2:14a)

“Oh, what peace we often forfeit” is a line from an old hymn, “What a Friend we have in Jesus” — a line that is far more than a song lyric, it’s a lifeline that literally has the power to lift our spirit.

We forfeit peace when we forget the source of peace. Peace cannot be found where human efforts abound. Jesus is the true source of peace, and the peace He gives is perfect and complete.

We live in a puzzling world, constantly searching for that missing “peace.”

But just like that missing piece makes a puzzle complete, God’s perfect peace makes us complete.

I have been praying for mental clarity and emotional stability quite a bit lately. My mind and heart have been all over the place, just trying to keep the pace in this daily rat race, and it can be exhausting!

But what I’m finding in my search for peace is this:

Peace is not found in a completed to do list, an aesthetically pleasing home, or a picture perfect day.

Three translations of this one verse reminded me that peace is possible when I pursue the source of peace.

“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” (Psalm‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬, ‭ESV‬‬)

“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” (Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬, ‭NLT‬‬)

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭19‬, ‭NIV‬‬)

Cares, doubts, and anxiety will forever plague me this side of Eternity. They are “great within me” and they are “many,” and they will continually rob me of joy and hope if I allow them to dictate my disposition instead of standing firm in my position (in Christ).

He is the missing peace.

In Him our peace is indeed complete.

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Hope and Peace

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Hope and Peace

Hope and peace.

Interchangeable in a way.

Interdependent on The Way.

Impossible by my way.

We can try to muster them up, but hope and peace can’t be produced by physical means. We can’t pep talk our way to peace or hold on to hope by our our strength. Peace comes from the presence of God, and hope is found in Christ alone.

We’re reminded in these lyrics from “What a Friend we have in Jesus,”

“Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer”

We forfeit peace when we forget the source of peace. When we carry the weight of pain and hurt, we have no grip strength left to hold on to hope.

I’m not saying we won’t suffer, but Jesus in the Gospel of John reminds us that even in the midst of hard times in a hurting world, He is our peace. He is our hope.

“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, ESV‬‬)

One of my favorite Christmas movies is a great illustration of what happens when we forfeit peace and defer hope.

Home Alone. The McCallisters were gone while Kevin was left home alone. As soon as his mom discovered he was missing, she went into panic mode. She frantically made her way back home to him. She switched flights, she hitchhiked, she was up all night. And the irony is that she made it home at the same time as the rest of the family, who weren’t frenzied and frantic.

I would have likely responded the same way Kevin’s mom did, but the point still remains — the destination was the same, but the journey could have been vastly different had Kevin’s mom been traveling with peace and hope instead of panic and hurry.

Hope and peace are great companions for our journey “home.” This world is not our home. It’s not our final destination. As we travel heavenward, let’s not defer hope or forfeit peace.

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Aaronic Blessing — a blessing of respect, to guard and protect, and give peace to reflect...

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Aaronic Blessing — a blessing of respect, to guard and protect, and give peace to reflect...

Pastor Joe Green, pastor of Saint Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church, had us sit in the book of Numbers yesterday during his Sunday sermon. Specifically, we not only looked at and read through “The Priestly Blessing” found at the end of the sixth chapter, we also dissected this passage. It is also known as the Aaronic Blessing, a blessing Aaron was instructed by God, through Moses, to pray over the people of Israel. We looked at the original Hebrew words used in this blessing so we could understand the significance it had not only on the people of Israel, but also on our lives today.

So, from God’s Word, through Pastor Joe’s words, by way of my Sunday sermon notes, may these words bless you and keep you as God’s face shines upon you, he is gracious to you, and He gives you peace today...

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