You Are Built for Peace

What brings you peace? A quick scroll through social media reveals multiple attempts at answering that question. Some indicate that peace is a commodity we gain while sitting by a quiet lake, strolling on a wooded path, or gazing at the night sky. Others imply that a sparkling clean kitchen, a freshly made bed, a basket of folded laundry, or an inbox clear of unanswered emails will garner peace in your life. And most of us have probably said (or at least thought), “All I want is a little peace and quiet.” What we mean is, we want a quiet afternoon. And to be honest, who wouldn’t love a quiet day? Most of us would be happy with a few quiet moments! But is peace merely the absence of noise, the result of completed tasks, or something only to be found when our environment is beautiful?

No. The Bible presents the idea of peace as something much greater, much more holistic, and much more beneficial than merely a quiet afternoon. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. And shalom is something that is meant to permeate every aspect of a person’s life with wholeness, goodness, and well-being. It’s the true peace we all long for because it’s the peace God designed us for.

We see this perfect peace in the first two chapters of the Bible— in Eden. During this time and in this place, Adam and Eve were able to walk with God in unbroken fellowship. They experienced what it was to be in God’s presence and, as a result, knew true peace with God, each other, and all of the creation. They experienced shalom and, consequently, true human flourishing.

But because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion, they became enemies of God and were cast out of Eden, losing both their access to this place of perfect shalom and their perfect union with the God of shalom. God still longs to give his people peace.

Did you notice how many times the Lord is mentioned? Three times; at the beginning of each part of the blessing. The gifts that God gives—protection, provision, and peace—will never be given apart from him. God longs to give, not just the gifts we seek, but himself. It’s only in his presence that we will find peace.

True peace is available. It’s available because we serve a loving God.

In today’s verses, we’re told that God “makes his face shine on” us and “lifts his countenance upon” us. Both mean that God looks on us with joy, love, and delight. The expression on his face is that of a loving parent gazing on the child he adores. As scholar Jay Sklar wrote, “This intimate language describes the Lord turning his face to us, beaming with love and pleasure. That is true blessing: the King of the universe looking towards you as a loving Father who knows all your needs and giving you his very self.”¹ What deeper source of peace could we ever find than the holy, infinite, majestic, Creator God looking on us with love and joy?

True peace is available. It’s available because we serve a loving God. Peace is available because, ultimately, God sent his Son, the Prince of Peace, to accomplish all that’s required to give us peace. As you consider the ways you search for peace in your life, remember that true peace is greater, deeper, and better than merely a quiet moment or two. Peace is the gift of God given to his children when they are brought back into right relationship with him and can, once again, live in his presence.

Courtney Doctor