22 Days of PeaceSample

Peace in Righteousness

I love the poetic language that can be found throughout the Bible. It provokes thought and can actually give images with words. I get the picture of these concepts like mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace being people. Notice that mercy and truth have met together. God has a truth that can seem harsh or cold but with the companion of His mercy, we can bear the truth and know that the truth will be delivered with His mercy. While that is wonderful and it is so good that mercy and truth met up notice that righteousness and peace took it a step further; they kissed! A kiss expresses love, endearment, and closeness. It is a greeting, a response, and an intimate connection. We have already seen what peace is but what is righteousness? Righteousness is a dual function word. It is a position with God and a practice with God. Now that Jesus has gone to the cross for our sin we can be in a right position with God. We used to be wrong, sinful, and in the wrong place. Now we are right with Him and stand in the right place as saints. Righteousness doesn’t stop there though, it is also a practice. It is doing the right thing from that place we now have with God. Let’s take it a step further, when we are righteous then we will experience peace. Peace is the byproduct of doing right whereas devastation and destruction are the byproducts of doing wrong. No wonder peace and righteousness come together like a kiss! These two words can be found throughout the Bible together. Isaiah 48:18 says if we listen to God’s commands we would have peace like a river, and righteousness like waves of the sea. James 3:18 says that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. The Proverbs tell us that when our ways (righteousness) are pleasing to the Lord even our enemies will be at peace with us. In multiple places from a negative standpoint, it says there is no peace for the wicked (unrighteous). Why not take it a step further today? Thank God in prayer for your position of righteousness and purpose to practice it throughout your day. As you do you will be greeted with God’s response and an intimate connection of peace!

See also Proverbs 16:7, Isaiah 48:18, 48:22, and James 3:18.