PRICE OF PEACE AND
SAFETY
INTRODUCTION
Price of peace and safety can be detrimental to one’s soul if relished for the wrong reason; fruitful and beneficial if received with thanksgiving and rightfully sought after. Apostle Paul, in reference to the Day of the Lord coming as a thief in the night, revealed: When they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail (labor pains) upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).
When the wicked shall say peace and safety; it is noted that they will imagine their persons and property to be secure, and flatter themselves with temporal happiness, then will come sudden destruction upon them; as in the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit.
The cause of it is from their sins and transgressions. The suddenness will come at the appointed time; will not know when God will execute such, but they shall not escape falling in the hands of the righteous judgment of God into everlasting punishment.
Price of Peace and Safety
Perceived Security
The phrase peace and safety appears in the Bible and is often associated with a period of perceived security; a false sense of security followed by unavoidable disaster. Jesus in spoke a parable about a rich man, saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully; and thought within himself, saying, what shall I do because I have no room where to bestow (store) my fruits (crops)?
And he said, this will I do, I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and there will I bestow (store) all my fruits (crops) and my goods. I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry (Luke 12:16-19).
Jesus, in conveying the parable of the rich man revealed there is a price to pay for continued appeasement of the flesh: God said to him (the rich man), you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you; then whose shall those things be which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:20-21). In another reference Jesus said: Where your treasure is there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).
Gain Sought
There are many today who have lapsed into contentment whether it be physical acquiring of wealth, political gain, influence, or some other perceived wealth or power. There is an influence underway to undermine the freedom of others; with the price of peace and safety becoming a living reality, to those who seek to maintain their peace and safety rather than give into selfish desires and ambitions of the ungodly.
The ungodly will not escape the righteous judgment of God. It was noted that it will be total and final; it will overtake them, when they least expect it, in the midst of their carnal security; the price of supposed peace and security in their pre-conceived notions, their will be unavoidable destruction. There will be no place where the workers of iniquity (lawlessness) can hide, no shelter, from what will be forthcoming.
The Prophet Jude revealed a prophecy: The Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince (convict) them of all there ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed (Jude 1:14-15); Scripture further tells us: The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
A High Price
The price of peace and safety often comes at a high price; the type of peace and safety that is precious and desirable over tyranny and reign of the ungodly. It was noted that being prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace (George Washington). War is costly; peace is priceless (Anonymous). Peace is ever the final aim of war (Wieland).
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety (Benjamin Franklin). A strong defense is the surest way to peace. Strength makes such attainable. Weakness invites war (Gerald R. Ford).
Peace is more than just the absence of war; true peace is justice, true peace is freedom; and true peace dictates the recognition of human rights (Ronald Reagan). Voices of the past echoing the price of peace and safety that is only lasting through our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Formulated Peace
Man may formulate peace but its endurance is not assured; sometimes it can be obtained, but what about the next person that comes along and no longer has the strength or desire to maintain it. A country may reflect the freedoms it so earnestly desires but what about the strength of such when tyranny gains control? Hitler indicated peace and safety under his new government when in reality such was sacrificed towards goals of domination and control through tyranny.
There were many calling for peace and safety in the past; as in the present, but what about their true identity and hidden desires that are only manifested when they gain control through tyranny? Tyranny is identified as an oppressive power over the mind of men; a government in which absolute power is vested in a single person or individuals, a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force.
It is as if the scriptural text that when they say peace and safety (which is always promised beforehand) then sudden destruction comes upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3) coming to life through tyranny. The referenced scripture was in regards to the ungodly not escaping the wrath of God; neither will tyranny be overlooked in the Day of Judgment.
God's Provision
Scripture reveals: Do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and you shall dwell in the land safely (Leviticus 25:18). The Israelites were enjoined; by their tenure of God-given land, towards obedience to all his commands, and were to hold the land of Canaan, and their possessions in it, and they would dwell in the land in safety; without any fear of enemies, or of the neighboring nations about them seizing upon them, or distress them.
Nations that once enjoyed God's protective shield and provision, prospered in peace and safety and were made strong under God’s provision no longer enjoy such a status. The price of peace and safety had been withdrawn as ungodliness increased. The Psalmist David wrote: Put them in fear, O Lord; that the nations may know themselves to be put men (Psalm 9:20).
Recipe for Peace
and Safety
A recipe was given to King Solomon towards reconciliation and repentance: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal (restore) their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). It was noted that while this promise was originally given, regarding the people of Israel, it is applicable to all (nations or individuals) who will call on the name of the Lord in repentance and faith.
In a poem entitled “This Too Shall Pass” (author unknown) were these words: If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be. I know God will break all the chains that are binding me tight in the darkness trying to fill me with fear. For there is no night, without dawning and I know that my morning is near. The price of peace and safety is looking to God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, as the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
True and Lasting Peace
Jesus said: Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children (sons) of God (Matthew 5:9). Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Scripture reveals: Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
It is unique when one witnesses a true representative of peace engaging in such through diplomacy and strength but a true and lasting peace only comes from on high. Apostle Paul wrote: Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
It was noted that peace of God is tranquility of mind freeing the believer from fear and worry. Peace which passes all understanding means peace divinely bestowed in times of anxiety, so wonderful that it exceeds one’s ability to understand it. God’s peace far surpasses one’s own understanding and His ability to cope with and solve it.
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