Read: Philippians 4:1-9
And the peace of God . . . (v. 7)
In the busyness of life, in the confusion of culture, in the constant bustle at breakneck pace, peace seems to slip our fingertips any time we get close enough to get a good look at it. And yet, “the peace of God,” Paul writes, “which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7). The peace of God will guard our hearts. Did you notice that? Peace is not a wistful hope; peace is a promise.
Shalom—the Hebrew word for peace—has been the centerpiece of God’s narrative of redemption and the focus of his covenant since the Garden of Eden (see Isa. 54:10). When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, God promised shalom through a serpent-crushing descendant (Gen. 3:15). When Israel languished in Egypt, God promised shalom through the hope of the promised land. And Paul, witnessing the hope of shalom that permeates all of Scripture, writes, “and the God of peace will be with you” (v. 9).
Peace is a promise. And we as Christians are called into that promise of shalom to bring peace to the world around us. It’s not enough to merely keep the peace; we are called to actively make it. If we seek God, we will find the peace he promises. Then it’s our responsibility to love our neighbors as God loves us and share that peace with them. God intends to bring his shalom into the world through us, but first, we must be a radically peacekeeping and peacemaking people.
As you pray, ask God to use you to bring his peace into the world.
Co-authored by Rev. Jon Brown and Justin Kuiper.
Jon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland, Michigan. Jon loves preaching and loves walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He loves to invite people to follow Jesus in community on mission. Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn, are the proud parents of four daughters.
Justin Kuiper is a student from Holland, Michigan, studying English literature at Hope College. His own writing explores the many intersections of faith, storytelling, and the created order.
