Televised beauty pageants seem to have lost much of their popularity, but I remember when contestants would be interviewed and asked, “If chosen Miss So-and-So, what would you like to achieve during your reign?” Some would smile prettily and respond, “World peace!” Good luck with that!
Sadly, history has shown us true world peace is more elusive than the mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Throughout time humankind has either been starting wars, in the midst of wars, or trying to conclude wars. Why so much war? There are many reasons: Territorial disputes; access to waterways and natural resources; conflicts over cultures, ideological and religious antagonism; greed; quests for power and dominance; just plain bloodthirst.
But that’s the absence of peace on a global scale. What about on a personal level? We find peace to be fleeting there as well. Family conflict, work challenges, financial hardships, physical illness and ailments, aging, and the reality of living in a chaotic world all can disrupt our sense of peace. As a result, we find ourselves dealing with constant worry, sleepless nights, anxiety, and a variety of other ways distress can manifest itself.
In search of peace, people try a smorgasbord of hoped-for remedies: Mystical meditation, medication or substance abuse, positive thinking strategies, soothing music, many forms of distraction, even denial. ‘I just won’t think about it!’
Yes, it can be difficult to find peace in environments of constant turmoil, but there’s one source we can depend on, a peaceful refuge from the raging sea: Jesus Christ. That was declared in one of the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
We have just celebrated the birth of Christ once more, reflecting on the world-changing meaning and impact of that singular event. From the beginning, peace was central to His message. After John the Baptist was born his father Zechariah, a temple priest, became filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. He said Jesus’ purpose included, “to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79).
Then one night while a group of shepherds was watching over their flocks of sheep, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests'” (Luke 2:13-14).
Why then do we still have so much strife and conflict in our world, if Jesus came to bring peace?
Because the peace He can provide is not a peace that involves treaties and truces and the ceasing of human hostilities. He didn’t come to put an end to earthly, temporal problems. Jesus gives His followers peace that transcends the trials and tribulations that are unavoidable in this life.
Just days before His betrayal, mock trial, scourging and crucifixion, Jesus knew His disciples would be distraught to see their leader treated so unjustly. He spoke to reassure them that despite what was about to happen, they need not despair. He said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Much of the book of Isaiah is filled with gloom and doom, foretelling God’s acts of wrath and judgment. And yet, in the midst of the harsh warnings, the prophet offers this assurance: “[The Lord] will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). It’s like listening to the evening news, filled with reports of wars, dire health scares, murder and mayhem, and then hearing God tell us, “Don’t fret. It’s okay. I’ve got this.”
We find a related passage in the New Testament where we’re admonished, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Elvis Presley in 1957 popularized “Peace in the Valley.” Speaking of unwavering confidence in the Lord, the hymn includes this simple refrain:
“There will be peace in the valley for me, some dayThere will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I prayThere'll be no sadness, no sorrowNo trouble, trouble I seeThere will be peace in the valley for me.”
The little baby who more than 2,000 years ago was proclaimed the Prince of Peace and was promised to be the one to guide our feet into the path of peace, can bring an inner peace to each of us that confounds human reasoning. All we have to do is trust in the Lord and ask Him for it.
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