Peace?

On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry addressed a gathering of the political leaders of the colony of Virginia. At that gathering, he gave an impromptu speech which is still considered one of the most powerful patriotic speeches ever given. Within his remarks, he said, "Gentlemen may cry, 'Peace! Peace!' -- but there is no peace." He was right! Shortly after this speech, the colonies were in a full scale war with Great Britain fighting for the right to form their own country. We all know how that turned out. On October 3, 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, in an address to the British Parliament gave his infamous "Peace In Our Time" speech. He had just returned from meeting with German Chancellor, Adolph Hitler, where he signed an agreement giving after-the-fact approval to Germany's military partitioning of Czechoslovakia. He was trying to convince Parliament, the British people, and perhaps himself that Hitler was a man of honor who would take no further military actions. We all know how that turned out. Is there peace to be found this side of heaven? How about in the sanctuary of His church? On September 15, 1963, members of the Ku Klux Klan bombed a Birmingham church, killing four innocent, young girls. On July 27, 2008, a deranged gunman opened fire in a church containing a crowd gathered for a children's program. He managed to kill two and wound another four before being stopped. This isn't uncommon news nor is it current news. In 1170, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was killed on the steps of the church alter. Where are we safe? Where is there peace? Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Just this morning, a member of my church collapsed during the worship service. She was carried to the hospital by ambulance. I believe she will be okay this time, but what of her joy and peace? What of the peace of other congregants? I am tired and drained, so undoubtedly that contributed to how very much this morning's incident bothered me. I trust in my God. I trust that Christ came to give us eternal joy and peace as we abide with Him. I have very big problems in believing that the promise of joy and peace means that it will be this side of heaven.