Interesting contrast here. Jeremiah wrote, "They have healed the wound of My people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace" (Jer 6:14). Contrast that with, "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" (Php 4:6-7). "No peace" versus "peace which surpasses understanding."
What does the Bible say about peace? We all want it. But the Bible says, "'There is no peace,' says the LORD, 'for the wicked'" (Isa 48:22). "No peace for the wicked." That's pretty intense. What's the solution? Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27). Isaiah wrote, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isa 26:3). Paul wrote, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace ..." (Gal 5:22). So ... no peace versus peace. No peace for the wicked; peace from God.
Everyone wants peace. No one gets it naturally. Peace is from God. Peace is available when we pray and give thanks. Peace is possible when we are filled with the Spirit. You don't get it by peaceful circumstances. And the best one is "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1). You can't have peace if you're not at peace with God ... and that only happens if we have been justified by faith. Thus ... "There is no peace for the wicked" versus "the peace that passes understanding."
Peace with God is sadly such a foreign concept to most people. We don't understand just how bad sin is, that it is outright rebellion against God. If you rebel against God, of course you won't know peace. But thanks be to God that He had given us a means to peace with Him through His Son.
ReplyDelete"There is no peace for the wicked" versus "the peace that passes understanding." That is quite the contrast indeed--like night and day. Every person born (other than Jesus) is in rebellion before their Creator and at enmity with Him. How could anyone experience peace when one’s entire existence--their very essence--is hostile to the One who made him/her? Praise God that He stepped in and made a way for us to become right with Him through faith in His Son, moving us from His enemy to His child, who will enjoy all the fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace…and more.
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