287. Peace Always
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
The Lord of peace promises to give us peace always by all means. God is peace; God is always at peace. The peace of God is a quality that is inherent in the character of God. The peace of God passes our understanding: it is deeper and more intense (if peace can be intense) than we are able to grasp. That peace, the peace of God, the peace we don’t even comprehend, the strong peace that cannot be ruffled is given to us. God’s peace is now ours; it will guard our hearts and minds. Evil, chaotic, hostile, explosive and dangerous forces cannot penetrate the shield and fortress that is the Peace of God. God’s peace protects us from war and strife. We are at war and we are, like it or not, engaged in spiritual warfare, but we fight the war with peace. What can threatening, warlike and fighting bullies do with that?
It is important to appropriate His promise of peace always. There are no exceptions, or times, or circumstances when we do not have peace. Peace is present in the midst of every storm, trouble, difficulty and adversity. You have it always, no matter what, no matter when. We just take it, live in it, and enjoy it. We are tempted to believe that God is absent sometimes, but that is an unfounded fear. Jesus promises, “Behold, I am with you always.” There is never a time when I can say, “God is not here. There is no peace.” That would be unbelief, and it would be a lie.
God gives peace “by all means,” God uses the means of grace (Word and Sacrament) to get the blessings and the peace of God to us. The Lord brings peace to our hearts by the means of, and only by the means of, the written Word, the spoken Word, and the visible Word. This is the foundation and the basis of peace, but “by all means” also means that on the basis of the Word the Lord will use circumstances, people, and things that happen to give peace. Once in a while we observe a “God sighting” which speaks peace to the heart. We check these means and interpret them according to the only trustworthy means we have, the Gospel in Word and Sacraments. We receive peace from God with faith and with thankful hearts.