November 19
“Those who love Your instructions have great peace.” Psalm 119:165 (NLT)
In the movie, Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock plays an FBI agent undercover as a contestant in a beauty pageant. When the finalists were interviewed, the host asked, “What is the one most important thing our society needs?” All said, “World peace.” When Bullock was asked, she replied, “That would be harsher punishment for parole violators, Stan.” The audience was stunned—and silent. Realizing the awkwardness, she added, “And world peace!”—to thunderous applause.
Everyone wants world peace, peace in their relationships, peace in their souls. Truth is, no genuine peace comes just because we want it. As the psalmist says, genuine peace comes when there is an alignment with the Word of God.
There will never be world peace (until Jesus comes) because the world is fallen and out of alignment with God’s word. In our relationships, there is no peace until those in the relationship align with biblical values. That’s not to say non-believers can’t have harmonious relationships, but if they are, it is because they align with God’s values: selfless love, trusted fidelity, willing sacrifice, humble confession, and gracious forgiveness.
And then there is the human soul. We’re a country that can’t find rest for our souls: 50 million Americans take medication to help them deal with despair, anxiety, and depression. We think we’ll find peace in activity, so we hyperactivate which makes it worse. We think it will come with achievement or accumulation, but that doesn’t work either. The world’s way is not the way of inner peace.
Biblical peace is the idea of rest, of shalom, of wholeness. Only in Christ does that begin to occur in the soul. Only when believers align with the Word does that rest, shalom, flood the human soul.
Jesus talked about this: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you . . . and you will find rest for your soul” (Matthew 11:28-29; NLT). Seeking Jesus, the Living Word, through His written word, is the pathway to soul-peace. Instead of running about trying to find peace in every bush or furrow, let His Word act as a yoke to direct you down the path to inner rest, wholeness—and be blessed!
Jesus, show me in Your word what’s not in alignment in my life that I might find peace. Amen