By Larrie Reynolds
It’s that time of year again--the time for making New Year's Resolutions.
Every year, shortly after Christmas, we publicly commit our intentions to improve something about ourselves. Among the trendiest resolutions each year is the desire for peace (or, if you're a Miss America contestant, “World Peace”). Since it's so often prayed for, and so seemingly absent, I've often wondered why God wouldn’t grant such a request. Seems to me that peace would be in God’s will for mankind after all….
As we know, God answers prayer (especially when what we want and what He wants are the same). Perhaps the reason we don't see this particular prayer answered is that, what we are asking of God, and what He is willing to grant, are two different things. Perhaps God has already answered this request long ago?!
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 NLT).
I think the disconnect on the question of peace centers on our confusion about what peace is and, more importantly, where it comes from. Our version of peace can be somwhat selfish, can't it?
We want people to behave the way we want them to behave. If they do, then we say we have peace. To some, peace is political. “If my party wins, and only if my party wins, will we have peace”. Others think of peace in terms of power. They see peace when one government is permitted to do whatever they wish with respect to world affairs. To them, peace is the absence of war between nations.
I refer to this kind of peace as “worldly peace.” To get it, one person “wins”, while another “loses” (agreeably). To secure worldly “peace”, all of those people need to change. “We could have peace if only they would...”.
You see, it’s easy to examine other’s actions and prescribe what we believe they need to do in order to achieve peace. Even the twelve disciples that knew Jesus, the "Prince of Peace," fell into this “tiger trap” of a dilemma. Some of his closest followers for instance, were expecting Jesus to overthrow the Roman government, ridding the region of the “infidel” invaders. Others wanted Jesus to clear the temple of the unrighteous, setting up His kingdom in Jerusalem. Some wanted to pick up swords and fight (with the intention to maim or even kill) anyone interfering with the work of Jesus.
However, Jesus did not come to “take over” Israel or Judaism. He was not interested in human ideals of power, or state, or in the governing of religious orders. Christ came to bring a different kind of peace--the kind that God offers everyone, anytime they ask, through His Holy Spirit.
The peace that God offers passes our “understanding”. It is rooted in a continuous, unbroken communication with the Father. It governs every action, thought, deed, or word. It brings quietness, reflection, and inner love for others. It is not bothered by the events of the day. It cares not for winning nor for losing. It is borne in a contentment that God rules and He is Lord (of all).
Of all the resolutions we can make, the most important to keep are those that God expects of us. To be called a “Christian” means that we follow Christ. That we emulate his teachings.
Jesus told his disciples (and by extension, each of us,) to “put away your swords”. He doesn’t want or need us to defend Him or His teachings. In Matthew 26:53 Jesus said, "Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?".
Rather, he wants what we want--Peace--the kind of peace that changes us. This was what Warren Cornell was referring to when he penned these words...
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm.
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll.
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control.
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace
Coming down from the father above
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
If you are participating in our "Daily Bible-Reading Program," today's texts are John 2 & Psalm 121.