John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
World War I, sometimes called the “Great War,” exacted a huge cost of human life. It has been calculated that some fifteen million people lost their lives in this terrible conflict. It was thought back then that peace would prevail and no more such wars would be fought—but it was barely twenty years before the even more devastating World War II broke out.
As we seek to find peace in our modern world it is important to get a picture of what peace means. It is the Hebrew word shalowm (shalom) and means completeness, soundness, welfare, and tranquility. The Hebraic concept of shalom is “nothing missing-nothing broken,” but figuratively it points to completeness. The word peace is found 429 times in Scripture and is a concept that is important to understand.
Over the centuries there have been many attempts to secure peace between individuals, families, communities, and nations. These human attempts have always failed because it is only the Lord who gives peace.
The wonderful thing is that the Lord gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life. His peace comes from the inside out rather than from the outside in. His peace passes all human understanding. May He grant you His “shalom”!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – Pastor Cecil