Bible Reading: Psalm 119: 153-176
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” – Psalm 119:165 (KJV)
Peace is generally defined as freedom from disturbance; tranquility or absence of war. When we talk about peace, it is generally looked at from the external perspective. That the individual or nation is not at war with any other person or nation respectively.
Biblically, peace has further extension. Leviticus 26:3-9 talks about peace in terms of prosperity, fulfillment and enjoyment of good neighborliness. So beyond good neighborliness, biblical peace entails your prosperity and fulfillment in what you do. Therefore if you are not fulfilled in what you are doing or you find it difficult to take care of your family as a man, you cannot be said to have peace.
From a Christian perspective, your peace must be total. In fact this is why the bible talks of Great Peace. It implies internal and external peace. It conveys absence of internal and external disturbance. Psalm 119:165 (KJV) explains it more succinctly: “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” So those who have great peace shall have nothing offending them both inside and outside. This is the fruit of the love of God’s word.
Great peace is the desire of God for his children. This is why 3 John 1:2 (KJV) says: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” However, as usual with most promises of God there are conditions.
One of the key conditions to having great peace is loving the word of God as stated in our memory verse. In addition, God requires holiness as another condition precedent. Isaiah 54:13-14 (KJV) says: “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.” In fact peace is a product of righteousness as stated in Isaiah 32:17 (KJV): “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”
Prayer point: Father, grant me great peace for the rest of my life in Jesus mighty name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero