One of my former colleagues addressed us in a meeting how he would find peace in life but failed. He and other Buddha had a mountain getaway spending seven days on meditation and contemplation in hope of attain rest and true peace of mind. But as soon as they left the retreat camp and came down the mountain, they were troubled and bombarded with many things such as their work, family and personal relationships. In this modern-day society everyone seems to be on the go all the time. How do we find peace that is deeply rooted and not taken away.

Asa’s revival of his kingdom could be reminder of how we could receive peace and rest. In 2 Chronicles 14 we read that in Asa’s reign there was peace for ten years in the country (v.1). How did King Asa do to have his people enjoy peace in the land? Did he develop more advanced weapons and build up the defense system? Did he promote democracy in his country where his people enjoyed freedoms of speech and religion? Did he boost economy, fight poverty and reduce crime? He did none of the above. Two things he’d done to make his people live prosperously and peacefully. One was to remove foreign altars and pagan shines. “He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles” (v. 3) where the people of Judah and Benjamin paid homage and offered sacrifices. They neither abandoned the Lord God nor regarded him as the only One. So they worshiped the idols and found favor with them. King Asa smashed all of the foreign altars and shrines and allowed the Lord God to be worshiped. Another thing he did was to command his people to seek the Lord. Anyone who refused to seek God would be put to death (15: 13). He commanded the people of Judah and Benjamin to follow God’s law and commands. Therefore God had given them rest from all troubles and they built and enjoyed prosperity (14: 6)

It wouldn’t be difficulty to find peace and rest in life if we learn from King Asa and act as he did to his kingdom. Is there anything more important than God in our life so that we ignore the true One? We ought to remove all the things that distract us from God. Then seek him and obey his word written in the Bible. Peace doesn’t come self or the world, but from God alone.