We talk a great deal about peace, world peace, peace on our streets, peace in our homes, peace in our souls. Yet for all our talk, we actually experience very little peace in our world, on our streets, in our homes or in our souls. I realized that the first step in my search for lasting peace had to be crying out my distress to my Lord. [Psalm 4]
But there is more to it than just crying out, the second step is found in Psalm 29. It begins: “Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” And it ends: “The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.” [NLT]
I find a direct correlation between two words in that song, one at the beginning of the song and the other at the end. The words are “worship” and “peace.” David, the writer of the song, urges his listeners to “worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”
It means simply to come into the sanctuary or into the presence of the LORD and love, revere, adore Him. Peace is a wonderful by-product of worship. When we are in the presence of the LORD, when we are worshiping Him, peace flows. All the unrest, distress, and uncertainty that surround us must surrender to the One who is the Prince of Peace.
When we worship, we find peace. Now let me be clear, that is not necessarily as easy as it sounds. True worship is more than just singing songs in our church services; true worship means consistently disciplining ourselves to seek His face.
For us, like all those who have gone before us, seeking the face of the Living Holy God will be a very humbling experience because we will see ourselves for who we are in the light of His glory. Yet, it is in the light of His glory, as we truly worship, that we will find the peace for which we so desperately long.
