Prosperous Peace
“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31 NKJV http://bible.com/114/act.9.31.nkjv Like the barter of material resources for peace, many paths to the similitude of peace demand some precious sacrifices or forfeiture. Worldly peace often takes away access to eternal peace. But for the early church, peace from persecution came only at God's own time and after the fulfilment of the pentecostal purpose - preaching the gospel in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and beyond. While peace without this persecution could have been pleasurable, there would have been no fulfilment and edification in a pursuit of pleasure, outside the purpose of God for the salvation of the early disciples. Therefore, trouble and trials today in personal, family, and national life may be the safest path to a prosperous peace tomorrow. Pro...