Peace be Within You

Psalm 122: 6-9

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    “May they prosper who love you.

7 Peace be within your walls,

    and security within your towers.”

8 For the sake of my relatives and friends

    I will say, “Peace be within you.”

9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

    I will seek your good.

Notice how the psalmist writes, “Peace be within you.”  He did not write “I hope you find peace”, or “I hope you are given peace”.  Peace that we search for or peace that can be given to us is contingent upon outside influences and can easily be taken away from us.  

Peace that is within us is a spiritual peace that dwells in us as a result of our relationship with God.  It is a peace that we have even when we are surrounded by chaos; a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7); a peace that is grounded in our faith and our understanding that God is in control.  

Peace be within your walls and within your towers.  But best of all, peace be within you.

May the love of Christ be with you

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)