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I have been doing my quiet time in the book of Jeremiah, intentionally going slow to meditate on and ponder the words of this ancient Old Testament prophet.
Although it is certainly a heavy read and often not so encouraging; he is even referred to as "the weeping prophet." I can't help but think how similar the days he prophesied are to today. Just as he is calling God's people back to faithfulness, he describes how many claim "Peace, peace, when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14).
Have you ever noticed how the subject of peace is in vogue, in-style today?
There are multiple organizations that are all clamoring for world peace in some way or in some area. There is United for Peace, the Peace Corps, Seeds of Peace, Greenpeace, Peace Brigades, Waging Peace, Peace Jam, Religion of Peace and Volunteers for Peace. The pursuit of peace is in; it's hot! How many times have you heard a person asked, "If you had one wish, what would you wish for?"
The answer is often, "I would wish for world peace."
Some of you are old enough to remember the mantra of the 60s and 70s, "Peace, Dude!" A university student reminded me, "today kids say 'peace, out homey!'" I reminded him I am still learning.
It is obvious that the reason peace is so sought after today is because, arguably, there has never been a time of more conflict than today.
Just consider Ukraine and the Middle East, let alone the streets in virtually every city in America. I think the first thing we need to understand is that conflict is not new; it just continues to increase every year, every day, every hour.
Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve into sin in Genesis 3:15, to the time Cain lifted up his hand against his own brother and murdered Abel, mankind has been at war! It has never ceased.
Now, each day we are greeted with the news of almost constant conflict. Troops continue to gather on borders around the entire world with efforts to instill fear and intimidate, and peace treaties are signed and broken before the ink is dry. I am not sure if I have ever witnessed a time of more anger, hatred, violence and bloodshed than right now.
Since the fall of man and the subsequent murder of Abel, mankind has willfully disobeyed and ignored God's instruction. The result was a great distance, a huge chasm, between a holy God and sinful man.
God was saddened and angry because of mankind's sin. One could read passage after passage in the Bible and quickly see the days of the Old Testament were anything but peaceful.
Because of man's sinfulness in Noah's day, God destroyed the whole world with a flood. Because of man's sinfulness, God chose one man, Abraham, and one nation, to be holy. Because of man's sinfulness, God called for a strict law to be adhered to and obeyed and drastic measures of punishment, war and bloodshed to those who disobeyed.
However, when Jesus came, He changed ALL that.
Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law." To redeem someone means to rescue them. When Jesus Christ went to the cross to die at Calvary and rose from the grave three days later, He essentially ended the war between sinful man and a holy, righteous God and rescued us.
At the cross, this war ended. The distance was gone. Peace was offered. God was satisfied. Now the pursuit of peace begins simply when one admits they are at war with God and ultimately with one another because of their own sin.
Peace is found when one looks to Christ for hope and forgiveness from sin. Be assured... we can never have "world peace" until we first trust Christ to bring peace into our own lives.
Finally, trust and be encouraged with these words from the Apostle Paul as he explains the only way to true peace.
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him." Colossians 1:19-22
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Rev. Tim Boger, senior pastor of Big Woods Bible Church in Lock Haven.