Attaining Peace

II Chronicles 14:1–7

"And Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest. "Let us build up these towns," he said to Judah, "and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.

The LORD gave Judah under King Asa rest and peace was upon the land because the king did right in the eyes of the LORD by taking down all elements and representations of spiritual rebellion by the people and encouraging the nation to obey God’s laws and commands (v. 2–4). With the LORD Jesus Christ, our King of Kings, we find ultimate peace with God, we are reconciled back into The Father's arms, this is why our LORD is the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6), because He brought us back to God, someone we would not want to be enemies with as we learn in the previous two devotions. However, while indeed we were yet against Him, even in our rebelliousness He came to seek us because He loves: "God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8)." May we respond to His grace with gratitude and the guarantee of strength and peace will be upon us for "the LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace (Psa 29:11)." Peace is a fruit of the Spirit after all (Gal 5:22), and we’d do well to abide in Him, to walk according to the Spirit. The Living Life writer’s prayer today, and may it be ours as well: “Father, You have called me to love and serve You with all of my heart and soul. When I am about to give up, help me to remember that You are my source of strength and victory. Help me to remain faithful to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” Sisters and brothers, know this, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phi 4:7)," all the days of our lives!