the promise of peace ...

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.
(Luke 2:13-14)

i have heard this story a thousand times before, but somehow this line had always escaped me. i definitely used to think that this peace was for all men, but that is not what it says. it is for those on whom God's favor rests.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

Finally, brothers, good-bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

so often, i think we find ourselves striving for peace. but, in just a few minutes of word study, i am seeing that peace is not a given, and it is not something we can attain in and of itself. peace is a contingent.

it comes when your mind is steadfast and trusting in God. it comes when you are living in unity with those around you. it comes when, instead of worrying, you make your requests known to God. even in those times when you are unable to articulate your requests, peace is available, because it comes from a place beyond what our hearts and minds are able to grasp. and those are the times we need it the most.

so, when we don't find peace, perhaps we should be asking what is keeping us from God's favor. the list of hinderances is not long, nor is it tedious. are you putting your complete trust in Him? are you seeking to live in unity with those around you? are you worrying, or are you making your requests known? the answers we find may not always be pleasant, but obedience rarely is. the good news, however, is that the resulting blessings always are.

my prayer for everyone, then, is that you find God's peace, not by default, but by being willing to ask the hard questions and, more importantly, to hear the hard answers. God promises great things - and great peace - in return.