Fear, anxiety, worry, confusion, and doubt are in strong supply. Peace? Not so much.

Social media, coupled with the national media narrative, has only exacerbated the unrest of our minds and souls.

But, don’t believe for a minute that our present level of fear and anxiety are any different now than they were in antiquity.

Chapter six of the Old Testament book of Judges begins,

“The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.” (vss 1-2)

During that turbulent time in Israel’s history when they were suffering judgment for repeatedly ignoring God, and scoffing at his warnings, he raised up an unassuming, humble man named Gideon to lead them out of their misery.

Gideon had heard the stories of this God’s thunderous voice shaking Mt. Sinai and opening up the earth. This God who protected Israel from the entire Egyptian army with a cyclone of fire. Yes, he’d heard the stories.

So when this God showed up, Gideon thought he was going to die. But, that was not at all the case. The story continues,…

“It is all right,” the Lord replied. “Do not be afraid. You will not die.” And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”). – 6:23-24

In one of Charles Schulz’ Peanuts cartoons, Charlie Brown quips,

“I have a new philosophy. I am only going to dread one day at a time.”

I suspect Charlie Brown’s philosophy describes how many approach life.

Are you burdened with fear, anxiety, or worry? Has Satan been hissing in your ear the lie that God doesn’t care?

According to the Bible, peace is not a thing; peace is a Person. His name is Jesus.

The Bible calls him the “Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Describing Jesus, Paul wrote, “He himself is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:14)

I meditate often on a prayer in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Here’s what it says and what it means:

“You will guard/keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is fixed on you…” (26:3)

The Hebrew imagery for “perfect peace” is “double peace.”

It’s what Paul described as peace that “transcends/surpasses human understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7) It’s the picture of a tumultuous Category 5 hurricane churning the surface of the ocean into violent chaos while, on the bottom of the ocean, there is absolute calm.

That’s the peace God is offering.

Perfect peace in the midst of life’s terrible storms.

Peace is a Person. His name is Jesus. And he loves you more than you can comprehend.

I’ll finish by citing Paul’s closing words to the Christians in 1st century Thessalonica:

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

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