“…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:2,3
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, beginning His ministry after His baptism, there was relative peace in the Roman empire, in particular in that area around Jerusalem. And though there was much animosity existing between Jews and the Romans, there was a relative calm, which was essential for the Lord Jesus to speak of the kingdom of God in Synagogues, in the city streets, along the seashore, and on the mountain sides. Christ had the relative liberty during His essential ministry to speak the saving truth of the Kingdom, so that the people, not being caught up in social upheavals or wars, were able to hear the living words of God, and have time to assimilate and meditate on that which they heard. In essence, God the Father provided an essential, relative quiet atmosphere in which the living Christ could proclaim the saving truths of the Gospel, and this, to their greatest effect.
When the Apostle Paul wrote his letters to Timothy, his son in the faith, he spoke of the importance of prayer, it being the first thing to always attend to in ministry and life. He wrote: “Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” (1 Tim.2:1) That for which Christ came to this earth, and die on the cross, was so that all men might be saved. Paul made this clear by saying, “… (God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (v.4) The question then becomes: What is the best and most effective context in which a lost soul can HEAR the living words of Christ in the Gospel, then, call upon God from a heart of conviction of sin, that he may be saved? Paul goes on to reveal this in speaking of specific prayer for, “…kings and all who are in authority.” The purpose in praying in such a manner is to trust God for peace, and an atmosphere where the gospel can be preached, heard, and embraced unto salvation. We see the principle of this truth when Jesus speaks of prayer alone with the Father. It is there, in that place of calm and quiet assurance that God speaks according to His objective words of truth. We also see this even in the Psalms where David speaks of the restoring of the soul “…by still waters.” Quietness, calm, and peace are essential if the powerful word of God will sink deep into the soul, producing a changed life by the Spirit of God. In that place of quietness and confidence God’s strength is received, believed, and known.
In the Old Testament book of Zechariah, God spoke to this prophet by giving him a vision of men on horses who were being addressed by the Angel of the Lord. These men on horseback had been sent by the Lord to walk to and fro throughout the earth. Their report to the Angel of the Lord was that “…all the earth is resting quietly.” (Zech. 1:11) Why is this important? In this context the Angel of the Lord would ask the Lord of hosts, “How long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem?” The objective of the vision, and the appeal of the angel, was, by hearing “good and comforting words of the Lord,” then declaring that He was jealous for Jerusalem, and that “I am returned to Jerusalem with mercy.” He then declared that His house would be built in it, Jerusalem also. The return of the captives from Babylon to Jerusalem, was determined by God so that the temple again would be rebuilt. To rebuild this temple, and Jerusalem, there would need to be peace. And though there would be some opposition to both the temple and Jerusalem’s walls being built, in quiet devotion to God, in the context of relative peace, all would be accomplished.
Dear Father, Grant us Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.