Peace
by Kameel Majdali
By Kameel Majdali
Among the most desirable and least obtainable commodities in the world
is peace. In the last century, we had two world wars and dozens of
regular wars since. We even had a very dangerous ‘Cold War’ where the
American and Soviet superpowers avoided direct conflict, but they
facilitated several proxy wars while pointing nuclear-tipped
intercontinental ballistic missiles at each other. We even now have a
‘war on terror,’ which, in reality, is a war with global jihadism.
In addition, there are global hotspots, mostly in Asia, where a
miscalculation or lack of statecraft could result in a regional or
global conflict. These ‘hotspots’ include the Korean Peninsula,
China-Taiwan, India-Pakistan, Israel-Iran, Israel-Arabs, the Syrian
war and the threat of the Islamic State.
Yet, even in prosperous and relatively peaceful societies, there is a
shocking lack of personal peace. Rates of anxiety and depression are
at record levels, especially in prosperous peaceful countries like
Australia. Those who suffer from these things derive no comfort from
the fact that their country is not in armed conflict.
Are you eager to trade in your fears, anxieties, and depression, for
some lasting peace? Then read on.
THE PEACE PROCESS
During the early 1990s, there was a novel approach to the Arab-Israel
conflict. Israel entered into the ‘Oslo peace process’ with the
Palestine Arabs. Basically, it offered ‘peace in installments.’ Here’s
how it worked: the more land Israel gave to the Palestinians, the
‘more peace’ it would obtain.
While there have been some areas of progress as a result of Oslo (for
example, Oslo made it possible for certain countries to enter into
diplomatic relations with Israel), the ultimate goal of a just,
lasting peace remains elusive.
Nevertheless, there is good news: it is possible to have personal,
growing, permanent, life-sustaining peace. It is a priceless gift from
Jesus Christ Who, among His many glorious titles, is called the
‘Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus offers every true believer the
marvellous gift of peace and it, too, comes as a process. You can
‘grow in peace’ as you do ‘in faith, grace and glory.
WORD OF THE LORD: SHALOM
If you would like to receive God’s peace, here and now, pay particular
attention to this promise from Jesus from John 14:27 (NKJV):
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives
do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.
Most people know the Hebrew word for ‘peace,’ namely ‘Shalom.’ It is
used to say ‘hello,’ ‘good-bye,’ and ‘how are you?’ Yet this word goes
even deeper. It can also mean ‘wholeness, inner rest, fellowship with
God, and total well-being.’ In the Greek language translation of the
Old Testament, the Septuagint, ‘shalom’ becomes ‘soteria,’ which means
‘salvation’ (Genesis 26:31; 41:16).
What a wonderful word!
GOD’S PEACE PROCESS
If you would like to enter into God’s ‘Peace Process,’ please
understand that the above verse in John 14:27 gives the promise of
peace and the pre-requisite for receiving it. Christ promises to leave
His peace with you. As the Prince of Peace, His peace will be grander,
more powerful, and more wonderful than mere human peace. He promises
to give peace in a manner that is impossible for the world to
replicate. When the world gives peace, it gives for a price, it gives
in part, and it can renege and take it away. When Christ gives, He
gives peace fully, freely, and permanently.
Yet, there is a condition you must fulfill. Before you can receive
Christ’s peace, you have to obey the simple command: don’t let your
heart be troubled or afraid. Despite the march of fleshly fear,
overdrive anxiety, and deepening depression, if you will surrender to
God, humble yourself, and submit to His grace, you can enter into a
personal, mental, and spiritual ‘cease-fire’ which makes receiving
Christ’s peace possible.
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