As this is the day when we remember those fallen for peace and those
involved in the search for peace in different places, we realize how
elusive peace is -- personal peace at times, and world peace almost
always.
The word "peace" has been used a great deal during the
last number of years. Every time we turn on the television, we hear
people talking about peace in places where there are wars and uprisings:
in the Middle East, in Syria in particular, and in a number of African
countries as well. There are a lot of negotiations, but there does not
seem to be a lasting peace.
How well I remember May the fifth,
1945, when Canadian soldiers liberated the Dutch people. Dutch flags
were out everywhere for the first time in five years. People were out in
the streets, the sun was shining, there was peace at last. But it did
not last very long. Within two years, the Dutch army was involved in a
war in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and soon, there were wars
in the Middle East, in India, and in Korea. Peace on earth seems very
elusive, and we have come to the realization that peace is not a period
between two wars but rather a feeling within ourselves, a feeling in our
hearts.
The disciples were in quite a state when they were
gathered in the upper room. Their friend had been crucified, and the
authorities were after them. They sat and wondered what to do next. Some
of them were ready to go back home. And suddenly, Jesus was with them,
and they heard those wonderful words, "Peace be with you."
And
we, too -- sometimes we doubt and worry; sometimes we have a feeling of
anguish in our hearts. We sit and wonder, or we lie in bed and worry,
and we pray about it, or we go to church to worship, or we pick up the
Bible and read those wonderful words, "Come to Me, all you who labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NKJV) Or
we hear Jesus' words, "Peace be with you."
Before one war is
over, another one has started. There seems to be no end to it, and we
have learned nothing from history; there is no lasting peace. But inner
peace is for all of us to have and to hold through faith in Jesus as
Saviour and Lord. We know that the triune God -- Father, Son and Holy
Spirit -- is our source of lasting peace, and then, it does not matter
what might happen in our lives, for we can be at peace through faith,
and we will have peace in our hearts.
Prayer: Our Father in
heaven, we ask that You would speak to those who have the political
power to bring about peace in the world. We pray that they will seek
Your will in all the decisions they make. We also pray for those who are
struggling in a personal way, and we ask for peace in our hearts. Amen.
Joel Jongkind
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to Daily
Presbytarian
