The founders of the country and those who lived through the Civil War or Great Depression may disagree, but America has never been in greater need of peace than today. Not peace on the streets, on the TV screens or in the halls of Congress, but the peace of God that begins in the hearts of men. We often get it backwards, because the peace we all seek in America actually begins in our hearts and then plays out in our daily lives.
And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17.
Make no mistake, there is no peace in America today because there is no peace in the hearts of men. Without peace, there is no hope, no joy, no victory, and this is the primary reason that hopelessness abounds today. True peace is a fruit of the spirit that comes from knowing God and spending quiet time away from the battle for your soul. Peace begins in your heart, and then spreads outwardly to your family, your inner circle and then your neighbors and beyond.
Today, your mission is to block out the noise and follow peace, go where the peace is and spread peace. Over a year ago, I suggested 4 things to help you find peace. It’s a good time for review.
Over and over, though, the Bible gives us the direction for these paralyzing times. It tells us to seek peace. The word seek means to explore, follow, pursue or chase. But the best example perhaps is found in Isaiah 26:3 (NLT), where it says: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
No doubt, the battles we are seeing play out before our eyes are real. But the even more significant battles are going on in the spirit realm and that’s where you must fight to find your peace that passes all understanding.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11.
