Overwhelming Peace
Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:11-22
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
—Galatians 3:28
Hostilities in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and other parts of the world never seem to end. Many presidents and prime ministers have desired but failed to negotiate peaceful solutions in the world’s troubled regions.
But there is another kind of peace growing between people in some of these lands. For example, though it is small and secret, there is a true peace that unites both Jews and Arabs who have found forgiveness and love in Jesus the Messiah. In the film Forbidden Peace, Tass, an Arab, and Moran, a Jew, tell of their faith journeys that changed them from being sworn enemies to becoming brothers in Christ. Many more stories of amazing reconciliation are taking place in this area today.
When we receive the love of God in our hearts, we have a peace that overwhelms the prejudices and hatreds between nations, tribes, and other people groups. It defies the rejection, persecution, and suffering that allegiance to the Lord Jesus brings from society and even family members.
This peace began in Old Testament Israel, and it expanded greatly when the Holy Spirit empowered the mission of his church to bring the gospel to the world. If you look for it, you can find that precious peace in many war-torn places.
Father, your awesome grace is making a family of sons and daughters from every nation, tribe, and language. We praise you with one heart and one voice! Amen.
About the author — David Zandstra
David Zandstra is a retired pastor living in Marietta, Georgia, having served five churches from New Jersey to California. Along with other ministries, he counsels clients of a pregnancy resource center. He acknowledges his indebtedness to the training and resources of Peacemaker Ministries. David and his wife, Margie, have three children and six grandchildren.
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