Lack of peace is uncomfortable at a minimum. But lack of peace isn’t a root problem. It’s a symptom. But of what? The Bible shines a pretty clear light on it.
The first clue is what happens during the future Millennial reign of Christ on earth. I just saw it in Psalm 72:7: In his days (Christ’s ruling days) shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. Where there’s righteousness, there’s peace. You know, in the Millennium with the righteous King ruling, there will be complete righteousness, and peace will abound. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6) That’s peace.
But the link between righteousness and peace isn’t just a thing of the future. It’s an ever-present principle. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalm 85:10b) Righteousness is doing right by God. If you have a child, you understand the link between doing right and peace, because when that child disobeys, there’s turmoil and broken peace until the matter is settled.
Righteousness+peace was also a stated point in Israel’s past. Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. (Isaiah 48:17-18)
Personal application
Where there’s no peace, look around for a failure at righteousness in some way. Examine yourself for where you may be disobeying God, producing guilt (peace and guilt can’t live together). It could be a big known sin you have been unwilling to give up so far, and no doubt, it is eating you up inside. Or it could be lack of trust and faith in God in some circumstance that leads you to worry rather than believe. All I know is that righteousness and peace have kissed each other. They are two peas in a pod.
But we can’t leave the “peace and righteousness” discussion without dealing with how to be right with God in the first place. When you accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for your sins (for your unrighteousness), you gain a right standing with God. He declares you righteous, making the way for peace. It’s called getting saved, being born again or making peace with God. It also means that you become part of the kingdom of God. Until you do that, you will not have a righteous standing with God. Read here to learn more about that. As you become a part of the kingdom of God when you are born again and His Spirit comes to live inside you, peace will be a byproduct. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)
I’d say, don’t strive for peace. Strive for righteousness instead. First, get right with God by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior from your sins, then be right with God through righteous living.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:33-34)
R&J Shee