Peace in the Process
May 18, 2012
Have you ever noticed that the word peace is most often accompanied with the word “quiet”? We often associate peace with the absence of noise; for many of us a few quiet moments do bring a sense of peace even if it is just temporary. The word for peace in Leviticus 26 is the Hebrew word “shalom” and transliterated it conveys the meaning of completeness, soundness, welfare, health, and yes, even quiet and tranquility. 6 I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. (Leviticus 26:6)
So does walking with the Lord guarantee peace and quiet? A dear friend of mine, who walks very closely with Lord and who has done so for years while rearing eight rambunctious children, might laugh at that thought. However, a spirit of peace encompasses her life even in the midst of chaos. Although peace does sometimes mean the absence of conflict, we are called to live and walk among believers and non- believers so there will inevitably be tension in the ranks! If there is no tension in the ranks, then just take a drive on the Interstate Highway – you can find it there for sure! Notice in Leviticus 26:7, right after the promise of peace in the land, God tells the Israelites, “But you will chase your enemies and they will fall…” Wouldn’t it have been easier if God had just annihilated their enemies? Couldn’t He have made them all disappear? Surely that would bring peace. (It would for sure be helpful on the morning commute to work! Ha!)
God knows we need to pursue our enemies in His strength and learn to trust His ways so we can obtain the peace He desires for us. One of the most well known verses of Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (NIV). People just love this verse and cling to its promise but did you know the actual world for prosper in that Scripture is the word for “peace”? So, how God longs to prosper us is through the sense of His peace. Remember this peace is promised to those who will walk in His statutes and keep His commandments. (Leviticus 26:3).
Perhaps you are thinking all this sounds great but this is Old Testament teaching. Were these promises just for the Israelites as they were physically moving into the land God had granted to them? Consider this prophecy concerning Jesus that was fulfilled upon His birth in Bethlehem all those many years ago. (CT)
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6