Biblical peace.
The peace that surpasses all understanding. The peace that only comes from our creator and father of all. The peace that there are just no words in the English language to put down to describe.
It strikes me that one of the Hebrew names for God is Emmanuel, and it means “God is with us”. And that, I believe is the crux of peace for the believer.
The presence of God, Emmanuel, even in times of trouble. Even in moments of loneliness. Even during…fill in the blank. God with us.
Emmanuel.
The pursuit of peace seems to be everywhere. Everyone looking, striving, working towards something, or someone, for their peace. The job, the move, the spouse, the baby, the quiet…if only we could obtain that thing that we want, we’ll finally have peace.
But if scripture is true, the believer can have peace even when our blanks are unfilled. In fact, we do have peace, as God tells us He is with us always. His spirit rests and resides with us and so, peace is here.
The Bible is full of stories that were uncomfortable for Christ followers. God’s word never laid out an idea that if we lay down our life, and pick up our cross, we would rest in the peace the world gives. Full bank accounts, no sickness, great relationships, and well rested bodies and souls. No. God’s word shoots it straight with both tales of struggle and warnings of strife.
We are living in a world that is not our home. A world where the Bible tells us the first shall be last, we should pray for our enemies, and we need to forgive others as we have been forgiven of so much.
And that can get uncomfortable.
And maybe that’s the whole point.
Has being comfortable, become an idol for you? For us? I have to ask the question.
If comfort is our goal, let’s recalibrate our thinking.
If understanding it all is our aim, let’s adjust our angle.
If what we’ve been doing isn’t working out so well, let’s give God’s way a try.
It has stood the test of time in ways no man could ever fathom.
And it’s all a gift. The knowing that we won’t find full comfort until our bodies fail. The warning that not everyone will want to be our friend.
The Bible, a map penned for us to follow, dodging pot holes and cracks, all while Emmanuel sees us through.
And those truth soaked words are the source of comfort we crave.
Emmanuel, God with us. The presence of Peace Himself in the midst of our discomfort.
That’s authentic peace.
This, is my testimony.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Simple Faith 