The Garden of Eden before the fall of man was described to be a place of joy gladness, thanksgiving and voice of melody (Isaiah 53:3). This implies it was a peaceful, joyful and conducive place, a) because the presence of God, the owner of peace, love and joy and the source of all these was there (Psalm 16:11; Jer 32;41), b) the heart of man was under the control of the Holy spirit and in right relationship with God, c) All creatures lived together in peace, love, joy and harmony, d) man was still in his sinless state and free from worries, fears and anxieties.
Unfortunately, when Adam and Eve fell into sin of disobedience to God’s commandment and ate of the forbidden tree, the peace, joy and harmonious living they had been enjoying was destroyed (Gen 3:1-7). The peace between God and man was destroyed and most importantly Adam and Eve experienced guilt and shame and were afraid for the first time before God which implies they lost their inner peace (Gen 3:8) likewise the peace between Adam and Eve, his wife (Gen. 3:12,16). Nature was cursed on their behalf (Romans 6:22). All these were the beginning of man’s inhumanities to man, wars and conflict.
Peace, which is an important necessity of life for the individual person and all the people in the world at large, is something difficult to attain in this chaotic fallen world of sin under the rule of Satan. Conflicts, wars, natural disasters, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, couple with lots of man’s inhumanities to man and others are the order of the day and made harmonious living impossible. All the attempts of the world leaders to make peace, work for peace among nations and to make peace reign in the world at large are all to no avail. This is because peace by man is mechanical and externally driven. Genuine peace belongs to God and Him alone can bring peace. Peace cannot be found where sin is practiced and glorified. It cannot be found where there are prevalent works of darkness and wickedness (Isaiah 48:22). Righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any nation (Pro.14:34).
All the terrible happenings worldwide are making the hearts of many to fail and be greatly troubled. Apart from this, many individuals lives are devoid of peace due to internal self inflicted conflicts, pains, hurts, sorrows as a result of godlessness, guilt, sicknesses, fear, anxieties, worry, shame, discontentment, wickedness, revenge, ingratitude, bitterness, resentment, unforgiving, jealousy, hate, envy, cruelty, animosity, reviling, pride and others as written in 2 Tim 3:2-5. Many are ready to spend huge some of money just to enjoy peace yet it eludes them. Genuine and lasting peace is internal and is of God and therefore can be found only in Him. It cannot be found by any that practices wickedness. There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22). It cannot be found where there is no true love and holy living (Heb.12:14). Without Christ no individual can experience perfect peace only known and understood by a regenerated soul.
We thank God who in His love and mercy sent His salvation to the world through His only begotten son Jesus Christ to restore peace to the world (Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 34;26;37:26; Micah 5:5; Luke 2:14). At Jesus’ birth, the angels proclaimed that God’s peace had now come to the earth (Luke 2:14). He gave peace to His disciples as a lasting legacy before he went to the cross (John 14:27; 16;33). By His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers and thereby made peace possible (Col. 1:20; 2:14-15).Therefore when anyone believes in Jesus Christ, one is justified by faith and has peace with God (Romans 5:1). Jesus is our peace (Eph. 2:14). Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believers (Gal. 5:22). As one submits totally to the leading of the Holy Spirit by walking in obedience to His commandments on peace, His peace rules in our hearts because peace is a condition we have to enter into (Ps. 122:6-7; Col 3:15; Ps. 34:14; Jer:29:7; 2 Tim 2:22; Romans 12:18; Heb 12:14).
The more one is thankful to God, the more peaceful one’s life. Nothing keeps and comforts the soul with gladness and inner peace as a heart of gratitude. “Be careful 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 passeth all understandings, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.
