“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” (Isaiah 32:17)
Human peace is fragile. Peace, in general, is the product of things being right. When we feel someone is a little “off” we ask, “Are you okay?” or “Is everything alright?” A persistent pain in our body; a change in our circumstances; a misalignment in a relationship can easily upset our equilibrium. Our peace can rise or fall depending on whether we receive a good or bad report.
Divine peace is much sturdier than human peace. It transcends the realm of feeling, and weathers the worst report we can hear. It too is based on things being right – not in the world outside of us being problem-free, or our bodies being pain-free – but in our soul being right with God. This state of being “right with God” is what scripture refers to as “righteousness.”
What does it profit us if our bodies are in perfect health, and our world is in perfect order, but our soul is not right with God? We ought to pursue peace with all men, but pursuing peace with God should be the first order of business in our life. And if we are to have His peace, the world that must be right is the world inside our heart.
No matter how right things are in our life at any given moment, the peace we have can be snatched away at a moment’s notice. But Jesus told us that His peace would not be taken away, even in a world filled with trouble. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27) God’s peace is not ours in the absence of problems; it is ours in the midst of every and any trouble we can face.
All that matters is one thing: are we right with God? Have we let Him examine our soul? Have we repented of anything that displeases Him? Have we been forgiven and cleansed through the blood of Jesus Christ? Has He made us right with Him through faith in His Son? Are we being led into paths of righteousness by His Holy Spirit? If so, we are okay. We may not be all right, but we are right where it matters most.