Something better than winning the lottery

The hospital technician sat directly across from me armed with a needle to inject a radioactive substance into my veins in preparation for a thyroid scan. Before beginning her needlework, she asked for the date of my birth.

A routine question, I thought, but on hearing my numbers she seemed surprised and suddenly interested.

“You’re the second person to come in this morning with those numbers,” she said; “I feel like playing the lottery.”

“I can tell you about something better than winning the lottery,” I replied.

“You can? What is it?” she asked.

And I knew I was again in the right place at the right time to tell another person how to find peace with God.

According to the Bible, peace comes in three dimensions: peace with God, the peace of God and peace on Earth.

Billy Graham’s first best-selling book, titled “Peace with God,” was based on Jeremiah 29:13: “And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.” In it, he concludes that peace with God is available to all who respond in faith to his love.

The prophet, Isaiah, explained that peace with God is available because of what happened at the cross, writing: “The chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed,” Isaiah 53:5.

When faith appropriates full forgiveness, peace with God is assured.

Each morning I quote a Bible verse that speaks of the second dimension of peace: the peace of God. Strange as it may seem, some people have peace with God but do not have the peace of God.

I once read the letter of a woman who had been living with a time bomb for more than 50 years. During that time, she had been respected and loved by her family and others and had lived an exemplary life. Probably no one suspected her inner turmoil. Nevertheless the time bomb had been steadily ticking away.

During her youth, this woman of faith had confessed a sin to the Lord and asked his forgiveness. That first confession became the father of scores of others, always concerning the same sin. Just before writing her letter, she had become so burdened with guilt that it had brought her to the brink of despair. She was ready to do almost anything to feel forgiven.

What more could she do to be forgiven?

Nothing.

What more could she do to feel forgiven?

She could believe the promises in the Bible guaranteeing forgiveness. At that moment she would experience the peace of God.

The third dimension of peace is yet to come and refers to the time when, in the words of the prophets, peace will cover the whole Earth.

World peace may be near or far away.

Peace with God and the peace of God can be ours by faith today.

Roger Campbell is an author, radio broadcaster and newspaper columnist from Waterford, Mich. He has written more than 20 books and has had articles published in most major Christian magazines. He was a pastor for 22 years and has been a guest speaker in Alaska churches from Anchorage to Homer.