Peace. Is there a word that is, well, more peaceful? It conveys stillness, tranquility, the absence of conflict, the end of war, no fear or hostility, no anxiety or chaos.
And biblical peace is even better than all that. Shalom isn’t just the absence of bad things like friction between groups of people; it’s the rich presence of good things like fullness and joy.
Simply put, shalom is “life as it was meant to be.”
Isaiah introduced the idea of God as Sar-Shalom (Isaiah 9:6) revealing that God Himself is peace and also the giver of peace. Real life, rich life, abundant life—the life we want—is found only in Him.
On the cross, Jesus made it possible for sinners to have peace with God. Overcoming death, Jesus now lives and reigns in the hearts of millions, affording us the capacity to experience the peace of God. He gave us peace in the ultimate sense.
All our temporal experiences of peace give us a glimpse of the ultimate and eternal peace we will have at last in heaven. Peace may be something we chase after, but true peace can only come as a gift from God.
When have you experienced true peace?
