No Fear: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

Peace Is a Gift of God It is a pleasant fantasy of well-meaning people to want to believe that human nature deep down inside is good and kind, that conflict and violence are aberrations, and that we are evolving into a kinder and gentler human race. In fact, we are corrupt from birth, selfish, me-oriented, and prone to conflict. Already in Genesis chapter 6, God sadly observed that the mind of man was only evil continually. This side of heaven, warfare is the natural state. It’s the law of the jungle, but it’s also the law of the desert, prairie, and forest. Humanity isn’t growing more peaceful—the last century, the 20th, was the bloodiest in history. Thus when people experience a stretch of peacetime, it is time to lift up their eyes to heaven to show some gratitude. King David knew nothing but conflict for most of his reign. He had to battle not only the warlike nations that surrounded Israel but also had to run for his life from his friend and mentor Saul and even from his own son Absalom. Finally at the end of his life, there was a stretch of peace, and he wanted the crown prince, Solomon, to appreciate where it came from: “He said to them, ‘Is not the LORD your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side?’” (1 Chronicles 22:18) I hope you never get tired of praying for peace. I hope you never get tired of saying thank you for peace.