Fall is a busy season for many. Families return from summer vacation and transition back to a regular but hectic routine. Children and youth head back to school and an endless array of extracurricular activities. Many churches kick off a new church year with new ministries and exciting events. From the moment we wake to the moment we retire to bed, our lives are scheduled to the very minute.
Because of the hurriedness of our lives, it can be difficult to find moments of rest and peace. But is there a way?
During the summer, I had the opportunity to preach Psalm 122 to the youth in my church. The final verses of the psalm revolve around the theme of peace, which is particularly helpful for us in this season of busyness.
The Priority of Peace
In Psalm 122:6-9, the word “peace” is mentioned three times — and if you include the similar words “secure” and “security” in verses 6 and 7, five times. It’s clear that the author of the psalm wanted to emphasize the necessity of peace for the listeners.
The primary imperative of this psalm is in verse 6 — it’s the word “pray.” The author encourages listeners to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Why was this such an urgent desire and request? Why would the author command the Israelites to pray for peace?
Israel was unique because God had chosen them to be His people. This implies there were other groups and nations that God had not chosen — the very groups and nations that completely surrounded them on every side. The Israelites made their home in a land fully inhabited by enemy people groups.
These enemies desired to war with Israel because the Israelites claimed to be chosen by God and did not worship the gods of other nations. The prospect of fighting and invasion was worrisome. Thus, the author of Psalm 122 urged his people to pray for peace while they were within Jerusalem’s borders. The author’s ultimate desire is that the Israelites would enjoy peace while they are within Jerusalem.
The Threat to Peace
In a world full of worries and anxieties, this is a message that we need to remember too. What threatens your peace?
- Maybe your peace is threatened by those around you. Some of our youth have shared the struggles they have with other students. Many of their classmates have differing opinions about hot-button issues like abortion or same-sex marriage. We are thought to be intolerant and hateful for what we faithfully believe the Bible to teach. As I continue listening to news from our nation and around the world, it is obvious that the world is only growing more hostile to historic Christian principles.
- Maybe your peace is threatened by the way you see yourself. When we browse our social media feeds, it’s easy to be preoccupied with our reputation and how others perceive us. We wonder what our friends think of us, why we aren’t as popular as he is, or why we aren’t as attractive as she is. We see friends having the greatest time traveling to a new country or trying the newest boba place in town, and we grow jealous of missing out on the fun. With social media, we become anxious, identifying with the online life we have constructed for ourselves.
- Maybe your peace is threatened by your circumstances. Every school exam is another opportunity to feel that students have failed themselves or their families. Every performance evaluation pressures us to put in just one more hour at work or risk our job security. Every doctor’s visit reminds us that our parents are growing older, weaker, and sicker, and we feel helpless about their pain and vulnerability.
In these moments, we should heed Psalm 122 and the imperative to pray for peace. We can pray for peace, and we can pray in the context of the church with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together, we can seek peace in Jesus.
The Prince of Peace
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)
We don’t have to be anxious, but instead, we can pray and ask God that He will give us peace. We can have peace in Christ because we know that He is in control of all things. He knows what will happen tomorrow, so we can trust that He will carry us through it. He loves you, and He will take care of whatever worries and anxieties you have. You can trust Him.
CityAlight’s song “Ancient of Days” has been particularly encouraging to me as it relates to the theme of peace. The term “Ancient of Days” refers to the name of God used in the book of Daniel. It refers to the fact that God is preeminent and eternal. From the beginning of time to the present day, our God knows it all. There is no event in human history that has escaped His notice.
So when the world threatens our peace — whether in the unknown of politics, safety, or future events — we can trust that God has known it all and is in control. We can trust in His goodness and His grace because He is our Ancient of Days.
“Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning over all
So I will not fear for this truth remains:
That my God is the Ancient of Days.”
“Ancient of Days” by CityAlight