On October 30th, 2023, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “Ladies and gentlemen, the Bible says that 'there is a time for peace and a time for war.' This is a time for war. A war for our common future”

This quote from Ecclesiastes 3:8 speaks clearly. The question is: will this war bring peace or cause further instability and unrest?

Since the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, the sense of peace has certainly diminished. The possibility of a war coming to our doorstep is something we don't want to think about.

Our prayers are for peace on earth. Especially for Israel, where the Bible clearly tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:6)Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you."

Pray for peace for Jerusalem… and certainly for peace on earth in general, because many people do not experience peace at all, such as those in war zones.

They yearn to be able to live in peace and have a perspective for the future again.

More than anything else in the world, people are looking for peace, but unfortunately we live in a society where a lot of things prevent us from experiencing just that.

Daily situations also play a role, such as an unhappy marriage, a not-so-fun job, a rebellious teenager, a lack of finances, a sick body, etc.

All these things cause fear, uncertainty and stress, and don't allow for a sense of peace.

True peace means a life without fear, uncertainty and stress..
Peace is therefore something that people would like to see in their lives.

To me, peace means: rest, tranquility, contentment, harmony. These are things that we often strive for, but cannot achieve through our own efforts.

Too many things happen that take away our peace.

When Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 14:27 He said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you."

Here Jesus contrasts his peace and the peace of the world. The 'world' can certainly provide a form of peace and tranquility.

But Jesus claims that he has a different peace to offer, a peace that goes deeper. This peace is found in Him.

It should therefore be clear to us that true peace does not come from the world, but from our relationship with Jesus.

This peace is a lasting peace and is not affected by our circumstances. It is a peace that allows us to experience rest. A peace that Jesus gives us instead of the burdens that the world imposes on you and you carry with you.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

It is our faith that allows us to experience peace despite our circumstances. This peace was accomplished through the finished work of the cross by the Lord Jesus. He became our peace!

In Ephesians 2:14 it says: "For He is our peace…  and in verse 17: "“He came to preach peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near…”

The storms of life on earth cannot take this peace away from us.

Jesus not only brought peace, He was the Prince of Peace, the King of Peace. When it started to storm around Him, He could sleep peacefully!

The disciples were panicking because their boat was in danger of sinking, but Jesus was not. When they woke him up He rebuked the storm, the wind abated and the waters calmed down.. Luke 8:23-24

Only God can give us this peace! He makes it possible for us to sleep despite the storms in our lives!

When an angel appeared to the shepherds and announced to them the birth of Jesus, something amazing happened… Luke 2:13-14 (Amplified) ^"Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army)praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest [heaven],and on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”. So peace comes when God is well pleased with us. And how can we be well pleasing to Him? When we trust Him and live for Him.

People look for peace without God, but they can't find it.

They want to control and rule everything themselves and live according to their own will, but the result is far from perfect. Overall there is unrest, war and enmity instead of peace and love.

Peace on earth has long been a human desire. But without a reverential fear of God it will never become a reality.

In Acts 10:34-36 we read about Peter and his visit to Cornelius. "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

… …Jesus Christ came to bring the good news of peace….

Peace can't be guaranteed to us by the government, but our prayers can ensure that the Gospel can be proclaimed without interruption.

1Timothy 2:2-4 "Pray for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives, in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

True peace is an inner peace that gives us the strength to find peace in all circumstances. A peace based on trust in the Lord.

This peace the world does not understand, and sometimes neither do we, but Jesus said in Phillipians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 And the peace of God,, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A peace that surpasses our understanding…. Wow!

The world is trying to create an environment where peace reigns. God created one within us that will always remain with us regardless of the circumstances in the world.

So don't let your circumstances and environment dictate whether you have peace, but see your peace as a gift from God that will never leave you.

 Collosians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,...”