Volume 40: The Prince Of Peace Does Not Promise A Peaceful Life

Day 144 Devotional

THE PRINCE OF PEACE DOES NOT PROMISE A PEACEFUL LIFE

One of my earliest trips overseas took me to London while I was still a young man. Growing up in America, I understood presidents, Congress, elections, and terms of office. But England fascinated me because it operated very differently.

There was a queen. There was Parliament. There were royal titles that carried authority, responsibility, and influence. I found myself trying to understand how a monarchy actually worked.

What especially captured my attention was the role of a prince. A prince was more than simply a member of the royal family.

He represented the interests of the kingdom. He carried delegated authority. He possessed influence, responsibility, and a future inheritance. The prince operated with the authority of the throne while serving the purposes of the kingdom.

Years later, something in Scripture suddenly connected.

The Bible calls Satan “the prince of this world.” Jesus said, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” (John 14:30) Paul called Satan “the prince of the power of the air.” (Ephesians 2:2)

Yet Isaiah gave Jesus an entirely different title: “And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The Hebrew phrase Sar Shalom literally means “Ruler of Peace” or “Prince of Peace,” describing One who governs, establishes, and reigns through peace.

One prince rules through darkness. The other rules through peace.

At first, this seems confusing because Jesus also said: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

How can Jesus be the Prince of Peace while saying He did not come to bring peace?

THE PEACE JESUS GIVES

The answer is found in understanding the kind of peace Jesus came to establish.

The Hebrew concept of peace is not merely the absence of conflict. Peace speaks of wholeness, reconciliation, restoration, and right relationship with God.

Jesus did not come to create worldly peace. He came to create peace between sinful humanity and a holy God.

Romans 5:1 says: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Prince of Peace first reconciles us vertically before He changes anything horizontally.

This is why Jesus could say:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Notice that Jesus did not promise the removal of tribulation. He promised His presence within it.

PEACE DOES NOT MEAN THE WAR HAS ENDED

Many people abandon prayer because they assume peace means God will remove every problem.

When suffering comes, they conclude that God has failed.

When opposition rises, they question their calling. When sacrifice becomes costly, they assume they missed God’s will.

Yet Scripture teaches exactly the opposite. The apostles suffered. Paul suffered. Peter suffered. The prophets suffered. Jesus suffered.

The Prince of Peace never promised a life without crosses. He promised peace while carrying them.

Prayer often becomes difficult because we approach God asking Him to end every battle, while God is attempting to establish His peace in the middle of the battlefield.

The peace of Christ is not found in perfect circumstances. It is found in His perfect presence.

PRAYER IN THE KINGDOM OF THE PRINCE

This changes the way we pray. Many believers pray:

“Lord, remove the suffering.”

“Lord, remove the opposition.”

“Lord, remove the sacrifice.”

Yet Jesus often teaches us to pray differently.

“Lord, give me Your peace.”

“Lord, sustain me through this trial.”

“Lord, strengthen me to carry this cross.”

“Lord, let Your kingdom come in me.”

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Notice that Paul does not say prayer always changes circumstances. He says prayer guards hearts and minds.

The Prince of Peace stands watch over the believer. We are not summoned to guard peace. The peace of God stands guard over us.

THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD VERSUS THE PRINCE OF PEACE

There are two princes competing for your allegiance.

The prince of this world offers comfort without obedience, success without surrender, and crowns without crosses.

The Prince of Peace offers eternal life, but He also calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

One prince promises temporary comfort. The other provides eternal peace. One prince rules through darkness, fear, and rebellion. The other rules through peace, reconciliation, and truth. One prince leads to destruction. The other leads to life.

That is why serving Christ is not a bed of roses. Following Jesus may cost relationships.

It may cost popularity. It may cost comfort. It may require suffering, sacrifice, rejection, and tears.

But the Prince of Peace walks with us through every one of those valleys, and when the battle is over, His peace remains long after the suffering has passed.