October 08 2026

Thursday, October 8

The Lord of Peace

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we are nearing the end of our journey through 2 Thessalonians. Paul has dealt with some very serious subjects in this little letter. He has talked about persecution and suffering. He has reminded these believers of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has warned them about deception and the coming man of sin. And here in chapter 3, he has dealt with the practical responsibilities of living the Christian life while we wait for Jesus to return.

But now, as Paul begins to close this letter, he gives them a beautiful word of encouragement. Listen to 2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” What a wonderful promise and prayer! Paul calls Jesus “the Lord of peace.” Notice that he doesn't simply say that the Lord gives peace. He is the Lord of peace. Peace comes from Him because peace is part of who He is. And that is important because we live in a world where peace can sometimes be very difficult to find. There can be trouble around us. There can be trouble in our families. There can be financial uncertainty. There can be health problems. There can be difficult decisions. There can be things happening in our nation and around the world that cause us to wonder what tomorrow will bring.

But the peace Jesus gives us does not depend upon everything around us being peaceful. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” Jesus said, “My peace.” The world says, “I'll have peace when my problems are gone.” Jesus says, “I can give you peace in the middle of your problems.” The world says, “I'll have peace when I know what tomorrow holds.” Jesus says, “You can have peace because you know Who holds tomorrow.”

Paul knew something about that kind of peace. He had been beaten. He had been imprisoned. He had been rejected. He had been threatened. And yet he could write about peace. Why? Because his peace wasn't found in his circumstances. His peace was found in Christ. Notice another word in our verse. Paul says: “May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace.” I love that word “Himself.” Our peace ultimately doesn't come from money. It doesn't come from good health. It doesn't come from everything working out exactly the way we planned. Our peace comes from a Person. Jesus Himself is our peace.

Then Paul says something else that I don't want us to miss: “give you peace always in every way.” Think about that. “Always.” Not just when life is easy. Not just when the doctor's report is good. Not just when the bills are paid. Not just when everyone agrees with us. Not just when our prayers are answered the way we hoped. “Always.” And then he says: “in every way.” That means there is no circumstance we will face today where the Lord is unable to give us His peace.

Isaiah 26:3 says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Maybe that is the key. Our peace is connected to where we place our minds and our trust. When I focus only on the problem, I become anxious. When I focus on the Lord, I remember that He is bigger than my problem. That doesn't mean the problem disappears. It means I don't have to face it alone.

And that brings us to the last sentence of today's verse: “The Lord be with you all.” Perhaps that explains everything Paul has just said about peace. How can I have peace when I don't know what tomorrow holds? The Lord is with me. How can I have peace when I am going through a difficult time? The Lord is with me. How can I have peace when I don't understand what God is doing? The Lord is with me.

Sometimes we ask God to change our circumstances when what we need most is simply a fresh awareness of His presence in our circumstances. You may be facing something today that has taken away your sense of peace. Maybe there is something you cannot change. Maybe there is something you cannot fix. Maybe you don't know what the outcome will be. Take it to the Lord. And then leave it with Him. The Lord of peace is still on the throne. He knows where you are. He knows what you need. And He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.

So today, whatever you may be facing, let Paul's prayer become our prayer: “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Let's pray. Father, thank You that You are the God of peace and that Jesus is the Lord of peace. We confess that sometimes we allow the circumstances around us to fill our hearts with worry and fear. Today we bring those burdens to You. Give us Your peace—not because all of our problems have disappeared, but because we know that You are with us. Help us to keep our minds stayed upon You and to trust You with the things we cannot control. And for every person listening today who is carrying a heavy burden, may they experience the presence and peace of Jesus in a very special way. Thank You that whatever today or tomorrow may bring, we never have to face it alone. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!