Where Is Peace?

If someone asked you where they could find peace, what would you say? Would you tell them to look within themselves or to another source? The prevailing philosophy today is that peace can only be found within yourself. While this idea seems to have more merit than searching for peace among possessions, prominence, or pleasure, in the end it fails because it comes from a strictly humanist point of view.

The same difficulty arises when attempts are made to end conflicts between warring countries, peoples, and even families. More than a century ago, an idea was circulated that a few powerful nations could establish peace among themselves and coerce the rest of the world to come along with them. The famous author Mark Twain had this to say: “Peace by persuasion has a pleasant sound, but I think we should not be able to work it. We should have to tame the human race first, and history seems to show that that cannot be done.”

Twain’s remarks hint at the Biblical answer to our question. Where is peace? Read what Scripture says:

• “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked (Isaiah 57:21).

• “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace” (Job 22:21).

• “Peace by Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36).

• “He is our peace” (Eph. 2:14).

• “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15).

• “Be [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7).

Where is peace? It is found only in God, and the only way of approach to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5).

From an anonymous hymn writer:

Come to the blood-stained tree;
The Victim bleeding lies;
God sets the sinner free,
Since Christ a ransom dies:
The Spirit will apply
His blood to cleanse each stain;
O burdened soul draw nigh,
For none can come in vain.

Look not within for peace,
Within there’s naught to cheer;
Look up, and find release
From sin and self and fear;
If gloom thy soul enshroud,
If tears faith’s eye bedim,
If doubts around thee crowd,
Come, tell them all to Him.

Have you found peace in Him?