THE GOD OF PEACE
By John D. LaVier
The name God of Peace is used three times in the New
Testament Scriptures: Romans 16:20, Philippians 4:9, and Hebrews 13:20. This
name stands in contrast to God as He revealed Himself to Israel in the Old
Testament. There He is many times called the Lord of Hosts. This is a warriors
name. He is the Lord of the fighting armies and over and over again He fought
on behalf of His people.
This name stands also in vivid contrast to the worlds
past, which has known little of peace. From the very beginning of mans history
upon the earth, even until the present moment, it has been a continued story of
nation being pitted against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Strong nations
and mighty empires have appeared upon the scene, flourished for a season, and
then vanished away. They have fallen by two causes: (1) an inner decay of
pride, envy, greed and lust, and (2) a strong enemy from without that warred
against them and won.
As one reviews the worlds past history, as well as the
present, when our armies are at war in Iraq, the Israelis and Palestinians
killing each other, and the terrorists doing their dastardly work everywhere,
the question arises: Shall this condition continue always, with nations rising,
shining, sinning, sinking? It is then the name God of Peace comes to mind as
the prophecy of a better day. God wants peace and in His own day and way He
shall bring peace to the world.
Back in the days of the now defunct League of Nations,
when many were congratulating themselves on the fact they had outlawed war, it
was my privilege as a young man to speak in a certain denominational church.
The subject assigned was World Peace. I was brash enough to tell them that in
spite of mans rosy dreams and schemes, there would be no real peace until the
Prince of Peace returned to rule and reign. At the close the pastor publicly
took me to task, asserting that it was the duty of Christians to work for peace
and brotherhood among men. He said: We pray Thy will be done in earth as it is
in heaven and when we thus pray we are praying for peace on earth. Later I
called his attention to the three words just prior to the words he had just
quoted. Those three words are: Thy kingdom come! Thank God, that kingdom is
coming! Then Gods will shall be done in earth, and not before. Then the God of
Peace shall send the Prince of Peace and He will usher in an era of universal
tranquility. Then men shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears
into pruning hooks, and they shall learn war no more.
The blessed name God of Peace stands also in contrast to
Satan, who is the real god of war. For six thousand years this arch-criminal
has instigated war and strife among the nations. Satan wants war and God wants
peace, but the question of who shall win is never in doubt. It may seem that
Satan is having his way but he has nigh well run his malevolent course. Listen
to what the apostle says in Romans 16:20, And the God of Peace shall bruise
Satan under your feet shortly. The God of Peace shall bring war against Satan,
and then Satan will be shut up and sealed under lock and key, so that he can no
longer deceive and seduce the nations of the world. Israel and the nations will
then enjoy peace, when Satan is imprisoned and Christ enthroned.
Meanwhile, the believer may enjoy peace even in a world
where there is no peace. The God of Peace sent His Son to die on Calvary and He
made peace by the blood of His Cross. Then we read in Hebrews 13:20 that the
God of Peace brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. Christ Himself becomes
the believers peace. Then as we entrust our all to Him we have the Peace of God
which passeth all understanding garrisoning our hearts and minds. And. too, we
have the blessed promise: And the God of Peace shall be with you.
~VICTORY IS OURS~
Victory is ours
when in the Savior we abide
we can claim His every promise,
as in His great love, we hide.
Walking in victory
is a blessing for God's own,
He will walk beside us,
until the day, He calls us home.
There is no trial too great
or problem God cannot solve,
In the Blessed Savior,
our whole life should revolve.
So hold on to every promise
and walk daily in the light of His love,
You'll be blessed abundantly,
by heaven's holy Dove.
Blessings In Christ,
Jo Ann Kelly ©
THE GRACE OF GOD IS CONTINUAL IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER
WHEN IN CHRIST.
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