Real Peace

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Pax Romana [Latin for “Roman Peace”]. Wikipedia says of Pax Romana that it “was a long period of relative peace … a span of roughly two hundred years.” The Roman Empire was subject to riots and rebellion. Because it covered such a vast area, Rome was known to devastate conquered nations in the name of enforcing pax. All who opposed Rome paid dearly for it. The first century Roman historian Tacitus wrote, “They create desolation and call it peace.”

Over 700 years before Tacitus, the prophet Micah declared a time of peace. It would be found in the Messiah. Micah prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria, after which he said that “out of you [Bethlehem Ephrathah] will come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel … He will be the source of peace” [5.2-5].

One of Micah’s contemporaries was none other than the prophet Isaiah. Of the same Messiah Isaiah wrote, “And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” [9.6].

As He prepared His disciples for His impending departure from earth, Jesus comforted them with this, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” [John 14.27]. 

Try as they may, the Caesars could not give their empire peace. You can’t give away what you don’t have. Our world is the same. Rather than peace, we have strife, unrest, and wars. But don’t lose heart! We have steadfast peace because we know the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus, the Lord. He is the source of our peace, so let it rule your heart and mind [Colossians 3.15].

Then His people will live there undisturbed …  and He will be the source of peace. Micah 5.4-5