The Cost of Peace

Note to readers:  A few months ago I quit posting to this blog because I tried for weeks to post and "it" wouldn't post.  So I finally gave up and tried again today.  Now this is the second post.  I hope the problem has been solved--and I appreciate the opportunity to "post" for those who want to read it.

The Cost of Peace

            The peace of Christ in our hearts is what enables us to survive the sorrowful storms of life.   Not only to survive them but to be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us”  and gave Himself for us.   His peace enables us to “glory in tribulations”  because of what those tribulations produce as they make us more like Christ.   They are “working for us” and producing “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17

            But at what a cost!  Last night I was re-reading a letter our oldest daughter Jeannine wrote to me last year on Good Friday, what she called “this day of ‘bright sorrow.’”   She said, “Whenever I pray for peace, I want to remember the cost of it.”  And she mentioned Isaiah 53:5 “the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”  

            It was Christ’s suffering that brought us peace with God and also the peace of God in our hearts.  “ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-3    “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Phil. 4:7  That’s why Jesus told us,  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. . . .  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27

            What wonderful peace, but at what a cost!  No wonder our troubles seem like “light affliction which is but for a moment” in comparison to the intensity and depth of Christ’s suffering on the cross for us.  Be thankful to Him constantly and tell Him so.  “The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” NIV

Here is the context of that verse—written 700 years before the birth of Jesus!

Isaiah 53:3-6 (KJV)
³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.