I am still in Oregon this week visiting my family. The smoke from wildfires has continued to limit our extended outdoor activities, but I have still managed to find windows of time where it is better so I have gone kayaking, biking and hiking. I could be tempted to spend more time here, but not sure August is the best month – way too much smoke! Other parts of our country are also experiencing the same or extreme heat (we are 40’s at night, low 80’s in the day time). It does not seem like “normal” exists any more in many aspects of life, the least being our weather patterns.

The only thing that I know of that does not change and cannot change is the character and nature of our God. I am not saying He is always predictable because He is full of surprises. He certainly does not cater to all of my whims and wishes! But, as I have stated many times before, there are aspects of His character and nature that we can always rely upon. He is always good, even when the circumstances are not. He is always faithful, even when it may appear that He has abandoned us to our own ways. He sees the bigger picture that we are incapable of seeing. Because I know that I can trust Him, even when I do not understand, I can find peace in the midst of my storms.

Peace from a non-Biblical world view has more to do with circumstances. One definition I pulled up on Google is “a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there is no fighting or war; everything co-existing in perfect harmony and freedom.” Sounds pretty good to me, but somewhat unrealistic in today’s world. Synonyms for peace include words like accord, friendship, love, reconciliation, truce and unity. It is no wonder when a “man of peace” arrives on the scene, most people will submit to his wishes and demands in exchange for the kind of peace described above. How much of the church will submit to him even though they may know that he is not a Christ follower? The Word of God is very plain that many will be deceived in that time. Only a love for the Truth will shield a person from deception of this magnitude.

Truth is a person. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” This is not a popular statement in today’s worldview. It is way too narrow even for many who claim to be Christ followers. He is also called the “Prince of Peace.” So how does Biblical peace differ from the kind of peace most of mankind has been striving for since the beginning of time?

Biblical peace is much broader than the definition most of us understand. It is from a Hebrew word that means “to be complete” or “to be sound” or “wholeness.” In both Old Testament usage as well as New Testament it means the “sum total of God’s blessings to a person that is in covenant or belongs to the covenant community.” It includes a right relationship with God and others. It can (and should) also include tranquility or serenity, the enjoyment of all good. It can also mean prosperity, success or fulfillment. It does include victory over one’s enemies so when we as believers use the word peace, we want to see all of the above.

The Bible is full of scriptures about peace. The simple exhortation is to “pursue peace” (Hebrews 12:14) so let me quote a few encouraging verses for your meditation. (John 16:33) Jesus — “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have (not might have) tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (2 Thess.3:16) “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (Isaiah 26:3) “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Psalm 119:165) “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make then stumble.” (John 14:27) “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.”

It can be a process to stay in that place of peace that Jesus and others talked about. But the prize is worth the effort! (Philippians 4:6-7) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I love it that the words anything, every, all make it a strong promise. We have our part or responsibility – pray, petition, give thanks, then He has the part we cannot do on our own – God’s peace imparted to us to guard both our hearts and our minds.

In a time where there are wars and rumors of wars, men’s hearts are failing them for fear (literally, the number of heart related deaths has risen significantly). The Prince of Peace paid the ultimate price with His own life for our peace. (Isaiah 53:5) “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” A few verses later (Isaiah 54:10) the author states: “Though the mountains be shaken (remember last week’s article on the Unshakable Kingdom) and the hills removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

Now is the time to cultivate that place of unshakable peace which is part of the Kingdom of God that is defined in Matthew as “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” As I stated last week, there is and may continue to be a whole lot of shaking going on, and I want to be found standing firmly on the Rock (and not the sand). This takes time to cultivate what Jesus paid the price for. It is free but it is not without effort on our part. Cultivating and expanding our understanding of what it looks like to be a covenant partner with the Godhead, takes time. May I encourage you to do just that. You want to be one who can stand strong in the midst of the storms of life.