Have we redefined “peaceful?” Since when is looting businesses, throwing rocks and frozen bottles of water, and burning police cars peaceful?

There are many more questions that could be asked regarding where all these “weapons” came from and why the local authorities in Los Angeles did little or nothing to stop the lawlessness.  The downward spiral in our nation continues as we move further and further away from the Word of God as our rule of law.

God’s Word has plenty to say about the wrong being done to personal property and citizens by both the “protesters” and the local civil magistrates who appear to be justifying terrifying behavior.  Most Americans are not being endeared to the immigrants who would rather tear down than build our nation. It makes one question what they are really “protesting.”

But, what about the old school “peaceful” considered by the people who have no power or authority or are too far away to do anything to change what’s happening? What about the Christian who is praying that our sovereign God will restrain the evil and protect His children from harm?

Just as God’s law gives us the prescription for peaceful living, He also gives assurance and hope to His own people who long to see His law abide is us as a nation.

Two to consider (there are many more):

• Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught (Proverbs 3:25-26).
• When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you (Isaiah 43:2)

These verses should help us to see that troubles will come and that there may be times when we feel like we are drowning in the evil around us or walking through fire. But God will be our confidence to speak the truth. He will be our Protector as we walk through those terrorizing times.

This past Sunday there were men in our congregation who shared testimonies of the day they had had at a LGBTQ+ Pride Festival. Each expressed that it was uncomfortable to be what the people running the show considered “the enemy” of the day. They were rebuffed, scolded, and had to witness families taking young children into the midst of the perversion inside the park.

This was small in comparison to what is happening in Los Angeles but it is a good example of God’s being our confidence when we really aren’t sure how we are going to make a difference for His kingdom on earth. It is a reassurance that when He is with us He is faithful to provide the right Words and protect us from evil as we are faithful to Him.

God’s Word uses the word “peace” many times with some nuances to its meaning. Generally speaking it indicates harmonious relationships between men or nations.  That is a peace that we need desperately in our own land and it seems that the Lord is at work showing us how far away from that we are.

So, no, the word “peaceful” has not been redefined by those who love and trust the Word of God. In it He tells us, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). The question is, will we proclaim it so that, over time, more and more of our nation will, at the very least, hear that there is no terror and are no troubles that He is not perfectly capable of getting us through?