USGN Article - December 2004
Written by Terry Franklin

"Peace On Earth?”

I love that bumper sticker that shows green peas spinning around in the air accompanied by the words, “Pray for whirled peas.” Around Christmas time we often hear songs about “Peace on earth” and messages from pulpits calling for peace between nations with a hope that all wars would end. The Bible tells us that we should even pray for peace and even targets this prayer to a specific city: Jerusalem.

Most of us would agree that it’s a good thing to pray for peace, and even better, at this time of the year, to celebrate the “Prince of Peace” who came into the world to bring peace between God and man. But sometimes it’s a little hard to wrap our minds around a concept as large as world peace. How about joining me in praying for:

Peace in our homes
Heaven knows how many of our “Christian homes” are almost like a war zone – husbands and wives barely on speaking terms. Marriages held together like frayed shoelaces by financial obligation and commitment to children. Jesus said that He came to “bring a sword” – at times He would actually cause division.

Frankly, most of us married folk do that pretty well on our own. Of course, the division Jesus brings has to do with our commitment to Him and upholding righteousness at a cost. But He also came to “break down the wall” of separation….not just between Jews and Gentiles….but between husbands and wives. And this becomes effectual the same way it did for Him.

… by dying. This is where THE CROSS makes all the difference in the world.

The Greek word often used for “peace” in the Bible is the same as for the word “repentance.” Thayer’s Greek definition gives the following meaning: 1) To change one’s mind, i.e. to repent. 2) To change one’s mind for better….with abhorrence of past sins. If husbands and wives (and children) would repent we would see revival in our land… and, I believe, a complete change in our national landscape.

Peace in our churches
All of the above holds true for our churches, as well. Churches are “divorcing” at an alarming rate. And, just like squabbling married folks, the blame game has everyone pointing fingers at everybody else….rather than asking the Lord, “Father, might I have caused something in this situation?”

May the Lord come and bring PEACE in our homes, in our churches… and even in our land, which could use a good dose of the “balm of Gilead” at this time. HE IS OUR PEACE!
 

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