The Lord of 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

We all want to live peaceful lives at all times and in every way. We want peace from our anxieties, in our families, with our spouse, in our jobs, between political parties, between people of different beliefs and cultures, and between nations. We don’t have that most of the time. We are not naturally a peaceful people.

Even those of the world who say they want peace, are not peaceful in trying to attain it. We can’t bring peace if we don’t have peace in our hearts. Peace in our hearts only comes from God, so it is impossible for unbelievers to have real peace, live in peace, or to bring peace to the world.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

True peace comes believing and trusting that God is working on our behalf in this sinful world. We can have peace in our hearts and in our families if God is the center of our lives. We may struggle at times being anxious and fearful, but that is a lack of trust that our Father will care for us. When we feel anxious we must reign in those doubts and remember that God is over our lives. We are not of the world.

We will have trouble. Bad things will happen to believers. Human nature dictates that we will have disagreements even at church. This does not mean there is no peace. With right hearts we can disagree and still have peace and love for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. 



If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18

As far as it depends on us, Paul said in Romans, we should live in peace. It is in pride, confusion, and in those whose minds are not on building each other up, where the lack of peace resides. If we were to go after peace like we go after the other desires of our hearts, individually we would have joy, and corporately we would show God to the world.

We can believe that God will meet our needs, guard our hearts and minds and that we are of great value to Him. We do not need to be anxious about our lives.

We can, as far as it depends on us, live in peace in the world by turning away from evil and doing good for the Lord. We must strive to live a righteous life and draw on God’s strength through His Holy Spirit in all situations.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

Those who have not put their faith in God and have not accepted Christ as their Lord and savior will never be at peace. Peace only comes from God. There may be peace for a time among non-believers, but in the end, their desire to have their own way will drive the peace away.

They repay evil for evil, they delight in their own desires, they do not humble themselves, and they are always anxious about life and what it will bring. They do not uplift each other but try to put themselves in the highest places. They take vengeance against each other and they hold grudges. There is no peace there.

To have peace, we must be peace and we can only be peace if the God of peace lives in us. We cannot allow ourselves to act like the unbelievers, quarreling and fighting among ourselves, coveting what others have. 

A life with hardships is better with peace than a life with everything we want, that is full of strife.

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

Prayer: Lord, we know that to have peace we must have you in our hearts.  We must trust in your ways and your plans always.  We must not repay evil with evil.  Help us to control our human nature and allow your nature to flow through us. Help us to bring peace to all those around us and show them you, the God of peace. Amen.


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