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SEARCHING FOR PEACE
The word shalom is the Hebrew term most often translated “peace.” It also
means “hello” and can even be used to say “goodbye!” The word summarizes
the timeless aspirations of the Jewish people looking towards the day when
Messiah comes and reigns on His rightful throne in Jerusalem. On that day,
the wolf will lie down with the lamb, instruments of war will be transformed
into farming equipment and both Jews and Gentiles will live together in
harmony! We know that this true peace Jews and others are looking for will
come with the Messiah, and His kingdom will be characterized by peace.
So, when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as David writes in Psalm 122:6,
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you,’” we are
praying for the Lord to bring peace to the hearts of individuals and to cities
and nations fractured by war and seemingly insurmountable conflicts. The
peace we pray for is not simply a superficial halt in hostilities, but includes
the unleashing of His magnificent and transforming power to change lives,
communities and even nations.
The challenges to peace today in Israel as well as in our countries are complex.
We need more than political and economic solutions to experience the depth
of peace our souls long for these days! This demands some type of spiritual
peace, as without spiritual transformation, there can be no earthly lasting
solution to the problems that afflict Israel, her neighbors or you and me.
Yet, realistically, we must ask ourselves, “How can there be peace in Israel?”
It seems impossible! So, allow me to share a few stories, which I hope will
encourage you to continue praying for and believing that God can bring
peace to a troubled land.
Here are some illustrations of individual Israelis who have found lasting peace
according to the promises of God.