Peace? Yes. But first...

As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet.    - Jeremiah 28

This is an interesting thing to ponder. Apparently, we should listen to "doom and gloom" people and hold in suspicion those that preach peace.

Now don't get me wrong. Jesus obviously is the Prince of Peace. And our hope is wrapped up in the promise that there will be Peace on Earth. And we can bring that Peace today, if we model it.

But when compared to other scriptures and prophecies that talk about people with "itching ears," and that there is never a shortage of preachers giving us what we want to hear, it makes you put stuff back into some balance. A steady diet of "Everything's great! You're wonderful! If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it!" is giving people the wrong message.

When I was going through a divorce, I felt like the "feel-good" stuff, ("What doesn't kill you makes your stronger," "Move on," etc.) was way off the mark. It never made me feel better, or stronger, or ready to move on. Rather, I wanted to hear that a wrong had committed. I wanted affirmation that divorce happened because there is sin in the world; because we are a lost and dying race. Only then did I begin to feel better. Because, only then was I being fed the cold hard facts.

Yes, our message is one of love, peace, and forgiveness. But what good is love, unless we have identified hate? Why have peace, if we keep ignoring the presence of war? Why forgive, if we haven't even mentioned sin?

A few years ago, on Christmas Eve, Matt Hook preached a sermon, in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shootings, on the theme of "It's worse than we thought. Merry Christmas." It was the most memorable Christmas Even service in twenty years of attending them. Why? Because now we could understand Peace on Earth.

All will be well. Our young people will come home. Our country will be restored. Peace will return. Life will go on forever. 

But first, let's not turn away from the pain and sadness all around us, that desperately requires God's intervention . . . through us.