In search of earthly peace

"Glory to God in the highest places ; and on the earth peace." Luke 2:14

Deeply pacifist, the American president Woodrow Wilson (18561924) is the instigator of the League of Nations, international organization created by the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 and ancestor of the UN. He had, however, engaged his country in 1917 alongside the Allies against Germany in the great European conflict which was called the Great War. This seems paradoxical ! A pacifist, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919. He wanted, in his own words, "a peace without victory", a "white peace". We understand why he remains one of the most misunderstood presidents in US history !

President Wilson desired a peace between the States, a lasting peace and not a passing peace like that which was signed in 1918. He is joined in this wish by the majority of the citizens of the majority of the countries of the planet ... And yet there is has always had a hearth of war in a region of the globe ! Never has the earth known a total, absolute peace ... and never will it know it until the reign of Christ. "When they say : "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come upon them" (1 Thess, 5: 3).

Peace is not for the earth that has turned away from its creator, even if it has been sought after, even if some have announced it : "They mislead my people, saying: Peace! and there is no peace ... the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem and see for her a vision of peace, and there is no peace" (Eze, 13, 10, 16). Entering the world, sin has nullified any prospect of peace.

Yet a day will come when peace reigns, dominating over all things, but it is God who will establish it, it will be the reign of a thousand years then the eternal state : "In his days (the days of the king's son) the just will flourish, and there will be plenty of peace" (Ps 72. 7). It will then be the endless happiness to which we all aspire, for "there will be no end to peace" (Isa 9: 7).

Father, encourage and strengthen your children in war-torn countries, protect them and turn their eyes to that moment when peace will be eternal. Help me to bring peace where I am. Amen.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)