“May there be peace within your walls—

peace in your palace.

On account of my brothers and of my companions,

I will now say, ‘Peace be with you.’”

(Psalm 122:7-8)

Indeed, how important the blessing of peace is.  We have already discussed the value of peace in connection to freedom from one’s enemies—the ultimate peace coming from God himself who sent his Son, Jesus, to suffer and die to bring us freedom from the great and final enemy, death (notice too how God connects his “peace” to his people with his covenant faithfulness and mercy—Jeremiah 16:5).  In light of that, let us reflect for a moment on how often the blessing of peace is offered by the authors of the New Testament:

“To all those in Rome who are beloved of God and called holy: Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Romans 1:7)

“Therefore, having been justified as a result of faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

(Romans 5:1)

“But may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in the believing, that you may abound in the hope that is in the power of the Holy Spirit.”

(Romans 15:13)

“Grace to you and peace, from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 1:3)

“Peace to the brethren, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Ephesians 6:23)

“And the peace of God, which exceeds all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:7)

“Now, may the God of peace wholly sanctify you himself—and the whole of your spirit and soul and body be kept blamelessly—until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:23)

“Pursue peace with all, and the holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

(Hebrews 12:14)

“But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown by those who make peace.”

(James 3:18)

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus, our Lord.”

(2 Peter 1:2)

“Peace to you.  The friends greet you, greet the friends according to the name.”

(3 John 15)

“May mercy be to you and may peace and love be multiplied.”

(Jude 2)

“John, to the seven churches in Asia.  Grace to you and peace from the one who is and who was and who is coming and from the seven spirits in front of his throne.”

(Revelation 1:4)

These are only a sampling of the promises and blessings of peace that are found in the New Testament—again, a peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ.  My prayer is that we would commit ourselves to the task of praying for peace for our churches, but also that we seek to work out peace in the lives of those around us—for indeed, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).  As Jesus reminded his disciples on the night that he was arrested:

“Peace I leave you; the peace which is mine, I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you; do not let your heart be troubled nor be afraid.”

(John 14:27)