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To the Hebrews he taught, “Follow peace with all men, and seek holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). he teaches them to follow the way of Peace,
Saint Paul also warned the Corinthians against division:
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that you be united in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by those of Chloe’s household that there are quarrels among you.”(1 Corinthians 1:10–11)
✍🏾Abigail: A Model of Peacemaking
In the Old Testament, Abigail stands as a shining example of a true peacemaker. When anger flared between David and Nabal, she acted with wisdom and diligence to bring reconciliation (1 Samuel 25). Abigail was a woman of great intelligence and beautiful character, while her husband Nabal was harsh and foolish in his behavior.
When David sent messengers to greet Nabal, Nabal responded arrogantly, saying, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? Many servants are running away from their masters today. Should I take my bread, my water, and the meat I have prepared for my shearers and give it to men whose origins I do not know?” His pride and disrespect provoked David’s anger.
When Abigail learned of this, she hastened to meet David. She dismounted from her donkey, fell on her face before him, bowed to the ground, and spoke with humility and wisdom. She said, “My lord, the Lord has restrained you from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself. The Lord will certainly establish a lasting house for you, for you fight the battles of the Lord. Please forgive the offense of your servant. When the Lord has fulfilled all His good promises toward you and made you ruler over Israel, let this not be a stumbling block or a burden on your conscience, that you shed innocent blood or avenged yourself with your own hand. And when the Lord has dealt well with you, remember your servant.”
David prised the Lord who sent her, blessed her good judgment, and blessed her for keeping him from acting in anger. Her wisdom restored peace and prevented bloodshed.
✍🏾Making Peace Between Soul and Body
✍🏾Making peace between the soul and the body is the heart of true inner peace. A person who is reconciled with God and lives in peace with others gains a calm conscience and a steady heart. This stillness within is not accidental; it grows where trust in God is alive.
✍🏾Saint Paul teaches that inner peace is rooted in prayer and surrender. “In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”(Philippians 4:6).Peace comes when we entrust our worries to Him, believing that He is faithful to help us.
✍🏾Saint Peter gives a similar counsel,urging us not to allow anxiety to disturb our inner peace. He writes, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”(1Peter 5:7). When the heart releases its burdens into the hands of God, it becomes light and quiet.
✍🏾The prophet Isaiah affirms this same truth: “You will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”(Isaiah 26:3). The soul that depends on God, leans on God, and rests in God is preserved in peace.
✍🏾One reason for the loss of inner peace is fear.Fear arises from many sources, and when it grips the heart, it disturbs the harmony of the soul and body.The Christian life teaches that fear should not rule us,for our Lord has shown us whom we should truly fear and whom we should trust.
Our Savior said,“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”(Matthew 10:28).This teaches that the only One worthy of holy fear is God.
The prophet Isaiah strengthens this same teaching when he says, “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness”(Isaiah
41:10).A Christian is called to trust in the steadfast support of God rather than be shaken by fear.
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