January 9, 2006 - Can There Be Peace in the Middle East?

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Can There Be Peace in the Middle East?
By Cyndy White
January 9, 2006

Absolute shock! That is what I felt when I heard my sister’s voice say, “They have just had three bombs explode in Amman. Are you okay?” As I assured her that I was fine, I heard my own sermon from Sunday ring in my ears: “We must trust the peace of God, not as the world gives, but beyond understanding of man.” It seemed the time had come to see if I really believed the assurance of the peace of God.

Living in the Middle East, I have been fascinated with peace,. Many think it is a foreign concept here, but it is not. Actually, in Arabic and Hebrew, the words used for good-bye are greetings of peace. As people in this region leave each other, they wish “Shalom” and “Ma salamat”—literally “peace with you.”

So what is the problem?

The Author
John told us that what the world gives is not the same as God’s peace (John 14:27). Jesus said He did not come to bring peace to His generation, but knew we would need help in the coming generations. The name He used to live in us, Comforter, denotes His peace will be with us when we have the Holy Ghost. It also tells us that He knew we would live in a tumultuous society. Why else would we need comfort? He knew what was coming and provided for us beforehand!

The Recipient
We have to follow some terms to live in the peace of God: belonging to God, loving His law, concentrating on Him:

“The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).

“Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble (Psalm 119:165).

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

If we continue to feel responsible only for the things of the flesh, then that is as deep as our benefits will run. Turning our mind to spiritual matters is a constant surrender to God and what He is accomplishing in our lives. His peace comes as His will is fulfilled. Remember that hymn, “The things of this world will grow strangely dim?”

The problem with the peace of the world is that it is just a word to them—a way to greet one another. With God, it is not something you cry, “Peace, peace,” but something you live. The Bible gives us phrases like: bond of peace, perfect peace, righteousness of peace. Yes, they sound surreal to the world. To the Christian, they are phrases of assurance, and the Spirit gives us that sweet calm. He is our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)!

How can you try to explain something that is beyond understanding? I have not found a language that can do the peace of God justice. Yet everywhere I travel in the world, the feeling is the same. In a high school English class in Lovington, at the airport in New York, or in a beggar’s tent in Zarqa, I have peace.

It doesn’t make me superior; it keeps me in Him, even in the Middle East—where, by the way, God is pouring out His Spirit and keeping us safe. In our recent conference services, 15 were baptized and 25 received the Holy Ghost. We have begun six new Bible studies and had new visitors every service since then! Once again, God has proven Himself beyond our understanding!

How about you? Where are you today? Are you living in God’s peace?

ninetyandnine.com

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Cyndy White is an AIMer to Amman, Jordan. She has three bachelors (degrees) and no husband. Since she is a sesquipedalian (a person who likes big words) and avid scrapbooker, you should be warned how her memories of you might end up.