THE PEACE OF GOD (Part II)
1. We have seen in the first part of this series how riches and personal gains could not stand for peace. We have also seen how peace treaties could not completely or perfectly accomplish peace among nations as most often they were broken.
Now let us look inward and search the scriptures on how the peace of God can reach us. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3.
Undoubtedly, those that trust in the Lord God, who constantly fix their hearts on him alone do not lack the peace of God. Another scripture: “O that thou hadst harkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river…” Isaiah 48:18.
There is always a peace like a river flowing in the hearts of those who obey the commandments of God: those who obey the Word of God as they read their Bible. This peace of God spreads to the children of those who love the word of God and teach their children the scriptures: “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isaiah 54:13.
Painfully enough, many people, rich or highly placed have no time to teach their children the gospel, the word of God. So there is never peace among the children as they fight among themselves over the property of their parents including houses and parcels of land later on. It is also obvious that there is no peace between such a father and his children at home.
Nothing can ensure the peace of God in a family more than the presence of God. Thousands of people have no time for bringing up their children in the way of God but have full time for their business and political aspirations.
2. It is very important that you should first be at peace with God before you can obtain the peace of God. Those who are hardened in their hearts against the word of God can never receive the peace of God in their hearts.
Here is the truth: You must be reconciled with God before you can have the peace of God which passeth all human understanding. God himself has called us to reason together with him. This was achieved through the blood of Christ shed for us sinners. Christ reconciled us with God through his blood on the Cross of Calvary: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him…” Isaiah 53:5.
Except you first get yourself reconciled with God, it is not possible to have peace of God. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” Col. 1:20-21. It is not as the world giveth. This is the only reason why one may get all the good things of this world and may not still be at peace with God, and may not get the peace of God. There are many rich families today who have no peace, whose children have no peace; the cases among themselves in courts of law continue to linger on for decades. It is pathetic actually to hear of murders in families over inheritance of property! Such homes refused to be reconciled with God.

3. The peace of God, all over the world, ought to be cherished more than gold, materialism, positions and desire for power! This is why the apostles in the Bible also desired as uppermost in their hearts the peace of God for brethren, for fellow labourers in the vineyard; Jesus desired it dearly for the church, God desired it for all. Church leaders should desire it for their flock.
Hear these scriptures: “Peace be to the brethren” Eph. 6:23. “Now the God of peace be with you all, Amen” Rom. 15:33. “And let the peace of God rule in your heart…” Col. 3:15. “And be at peace among yourselves” 1 Thess. 4:13. “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means…” II Thess. 3:16. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” II Peter 1:2. “Mercy unto you and peace and love, be multiplied” Jude 2. In all these there was no where the peace of God was neglected to be mentioned. Church leaders should not forget it.
4. As we ask for the peace of God, millions of people all over the world have not understood how Jesus Christ himself is our peace. Hear it: That man who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of virgin Mary in Bethlehem who healed the lepers, opened the eyes of the blind and made the deaf hear and made the lame walk was he that was crucified on the Cross. He died for our sins. This man became peace for us because he reconciled us to God with his precious blood. He also made us one – Jews or Gentiles, white or black – all through the races of the world. Through this marvelous work of reconciliation, we can now obtain the peace of God. It is when we receive this man as our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) that this peace of God can easily abide in us and in our homes.
Look at these for consideration:
(i) If you are in touch with God of peace through Christ Jesus, you will be reconciled with God and have the peace of God abundantly.
(ii) Your desires for the things of the world only to the neglect of the Word of God keep you far away from the peace of God.
(iii) When you lead your children in the way of Christ, there would be abundant peace of God in their hearts.
(iv) Cast all your care upon God, he will care for you and give you peace. That is more than gold.
(v) Be at peace with your neighbours and the peace of God shall flow like a river in your heart.