Psalm 120 is described as a song for pilgrims. The first verse declares, “I took my troubles to the Lord.”

Their cry of distress is for deliverance from deceitful, lying people full of treachery and false accusations. Though the pilgrims spoke words of peace, they lived as aliens in a world of cruel people who hated peace and who spoke only words of war.

We too are pilgrims and sojourners on the Earth. We are following the Commander of Shalom, the Prince of Peace. He is Peace: “the One who deals with the authority of chaos” (see Isaiah 9:6). The root meaning of peace describes a mighty weapon for spiritual warfare to be wielded against the authority of chaos and the confusion that follows. The product is the fruit of peace: wholeness, wellness, prosperity, blessings, tranquility, stillness, rest.

We are called to be at peace as far as possible, and to be set apart for God. There is no such thing as peace at any cost. True peace cannot be found apart from the One who is Peace Himself. We can invite Peace into past, present, and pending conflict.Together, we can face both our inward and outward distress and struggles and deal with the conflict, chaos, and confusion that disturbs our peace.

Like our Prince of Peace, we can forbid any works of chaos and nullify its dominating authority. We can exchange our angst and fear for wholeness, wellness, blessing, tranquility, stillness, and rest.

May we walk with Peace and effect change in the world around us. May we be at peace and introduce Peace to those around us. May our environment be filled and transformed with His glory-presence and peace.