How to Experience Peace Amidst of Chaos

But as he [Jesus] came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.” (Luke 19:41-42 NLT)

I wonder if Jesus wept over Boston this week

I did. Having suffered leg injuries in January, I know how quickly life changes without the use of one’s lower extremities. My prayers are with those who lost their limbs, and to all who face a long road to recovery. I’m also remembering their families—spouses, kids, and parents who are suddenly thrust into caregiving roles that impact work schedules, personal routines, and relationships. The ramifications of physical injuries run deep and long.

Boston suffered a horrific tragedy this week. News reports say the people are trying to regain a sense of normalcy. We all wish for normalcy for Boston, and for Newtown, and for every community across Canada and the United States that has seen the effects of man’s wicked nature. But there’s one problem—evil lurks.

Evil seeks to destroy good

There’s a spiritual dynamic at work here. Evil seeks to destroy good. We can change gun laws, we can push tighter security measures, and we can issue tougher sentences on criminals and terrorists. But nothing will change until people’s hearts change. And that will happen only when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace in our lives and in our nations.

Earlier this spring, I prepared a message called “Quench Our Thirst for Peace.” Doing so meant compiling a list of Scriptures that addressed peace. Here are a few that show how God longs for people to experience peace, and for the provision He’s made in this regard. They also show that a lack of peace is the natural outcome when we reject God and His ways.

We can stop these atrocities from happening. We can—by admitting that we need God’s help. Doing life our way isn’t working. It’s time for a spiritual turnaround both individually and corporately.

Take a moment to read these words. Reflect on them throughout the coming days. Ask yourself how they apply to you, and ask God to show you how to align your life with His ways through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the true source of peace. If this is new for you, then read to the end and you’ll find an explanation. Feel free to contact me with questions.

Jesus is the source of peace

Isaiah 9:6 – “These will be his [Jesus] royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 53:5 – “He [Jesus] was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!”

John 14:27 – “I [Jesus] am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 16:33 – “I [Jesus] have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

2 Peter 1:2 – “May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better.”

Peace is a blessing for honoring God

Psalm 29:10-11 – “The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”

Psalm 147:11,14 – “The Lord’s delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love…He sends peace across your nation and satisfies you with plenty of the finest wheat.”

Isaiah 57:15,19 – “The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: ‘I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts…Then words of praise will be on their lips. May they have peace, both near and far, for I will heal them all,’ says the LORD.”

Psalm 119:165 – “Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.”

Isaiah 48:18 – “Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness flowing like waves.”

Lack of peace results from rejecting God

Isaiah 57:20-21 – “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea. It is never still but continually churns up mire and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.

Isaiah 59:2,8 – “But there is a problem—your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore…They do not know what true peace is or what it means to be just and good. They continually do wrong, and those who follow them cannot experience a moment’s peace.”

Establish a relationship with the Prince Of Peace

Scripture says we’ve all missed God’s standard of holiness because we’re all sinners. It tells us that God is a just God and cannot tolerate sin, therefore there’s a penalty that must be paid. That penalty is death—eternal separation from God.

The good news is that God is loving and longs for us to spend eternity with Him Therefore, He made a way for that penalty to be paid. He did this by sending His Son, Jesus, to pay that death penalty on our behalf. He did so when He died on the cross.

Scripture also tells us that death could not conquer Jesus. He rose from the dead three days later—conquering that death penalty once for all.

Establishing a relationship with Jesus—the Prince of Peace—means we acknowledge we’re sinners. We choose to believe that Jesus paid our death penalty and that He conquered death on our behalf. We choose to trust Him for forgiveness of sin and for our eternal salvation rather than trusting good works or any other method society might tell us to follow.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? To have peace, we must first have relationship with Jesus—the source of peace. When that pre-requisite’s in place, then everything else falls into place.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)