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by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
In Ivan Bloch's book The Future of War in its Technical, Economic, and Political Relations published in 1899, he writes the following:
An analysis of the history of mankind shows that from the year 1496 B.C. to the year 1861 of our era, that is, in a cycle of 3357 years, were but 227 years of peace and 3130 years of war : in other words, were thirteen years of war for every year of peace. Considered thus, the history of the lives of peoples presents a picture of uninterrupted struggle. War, it would appear, is a normal attribute to human life.[1]
I dare say, without the research to confirm it, that the proportion of days of peace to days of war have not decreased since Bloch's assertion and intuition tells me that, in fact, it may have increased. It has been thought that by uniting to the world under one governing body world peace might be accomplished. Indeed, the League of Nations and the United Nations represent movements in that direction by providing a conference table of nations in which they could vent their grievances and find means of resolution from the world community without going to war. That has not happened for various reasons, chief among them is the tendency of men and nations not to yield their power or will to others whom they perceive might weaken or rule over them.
That being said, it seems that there is little hope of humans being able to construct and maintain a world in which there is no war. The simple fact is that turmoil and terror seems to be only increasing. If the community of nations cannot bring peace, then people are left to find it for themselves as individuals in other types of community.
God has established a peaceful community. It is the church.
Here, individuals can find peace and calm from their anxieties and fears. This peace is experienced primarily by faith in God's sovereignty and purpose. In God, even the situations that otherwise would cause fear can actually be seen as opportunities to display faith in God and His wisdom.
God values peace for His people and even encourages them to seek it from Him.
A. God Encouraged His People (Israel) to Pray for Peace for Their Own City.
Psalms 122:5-9 (NIV) 5There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David. 6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. 7May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." 8For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." 9For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
B. God Encouraged His People (Israel) to Pray for Peace in Foreign Lands Where Lived in Exile.
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C. God Encourages His People (the church) to Pray for Ruling Authorities that It Might Live Peacefully and Quietly
In these days when we might be tempted to worry about unstable and dangerous circumstances nationally and personally. Let us as believers be thankful for a "peace that transcends all understanding" among those who know not Christ.
I. Let Us Be Thankful that We Have Peace with God.
This peace is made necessary because of our rebellion--evidenced by our sinful acts against the will of God,.
Romans 3:10-12 ( NIV ) 10As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
Paul draws from portions of
What needs to be presented as the remedy to this state of mankind is that which follows. This peace we need is made possible by Christ,
A. We Have this Peace Because of Our Faith in the Work of Christ,
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV) 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we£ have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we£ rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
B. We Have this Peace Because of God's Love for Us,
Romans 5:8 (NIV) 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
C. We Have this Peace and Are Therefore Protected from His Wrath,
Romans 5:9 (NIV) 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!
D. We Have this Peace and Are Promised Even Greater Peace to Come,
Romans 5:10 (NIV) 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Because I have made peace with God. I now have a relationship with God.
II. Let Us Be Thankful that We Have the Peace of God.
One of the things necessary in our Christian witness is the evidence of our joy in Christ in all situations and circumstances. Some of those circumstances can be very disruptive to our joy and rob us of our peace. What are we to do when this happens so that we are not shaken and the world sees our confidence and joy in Christ. That is revealed to us in
A. This Peace Should Cause Us to Rejoice in the Lord,
Philippians 4:4 (NIV) 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
B. This Peace Should Encourage Us to Gentleness Rather than Harshness in Our Contacts with the World,
Philippians 4:5a (NIV) 5aLet your gentleness be evident to all.
C. This Peace Should Rest on the Fact that the Lord Is Near to Help,
Philippians 4:5b (NIV) 5bThe Lord is near.
D. This Peace Should be Maintained by the Discipline of Prayer,
Philippians 4:6 ( NIV ) 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
E. This Peace Will Be of the Type that Will Defy Understanding by Unbelievers,
Philippians 4:7a (NIV) 7aAnd the peace of God . . . transcends all understanding.
F. This Peace in Christ Will Stand Guard Over Hearts and Minds Drawn to Anxiety and Fear,
Philippians 4:7 ( NIV ) 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Because I place my faith in God, I will not allow myself to be ruled by my anxieties and fears. I will pray for God's help and peace.
III. Let Us Be Thankful that We Have Peace in God.
A. Peace and Security from Men Is Temporary and Unpredictable at Best,
Psalms 118:8-9 (NIV) 8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
B. Peace and Security from God Is Eternal and Certain,
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) 6For 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. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
C. Our Eternal Peace and Security Will Finally Become Reality When Christ Returns,
John 14:27-28 (NIV) 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
D. Our Eternal Peace and Security Stands in Contrast to the Judgment to Come upon the Enemies of God,
Revelation 11:15-18 (NIV) 15The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." 16And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
Because I have placed my hope in God I will live with Christ forever. What about you?
[1]Ivan Bloch, The Future of War in its Technical, Economic, and Political Relations (New York: Doubleday and McClure Co.) 1899, "Author's Preface, p. lxv
