Times of peace have a danger of their own.  When things are done or over or are in a good place, it can be easy to relax.  It’s been my observation that spiritual warfare happens most AFTER an event is over.  It feels like the battle is done, everyone is tired, and time to relax a little.

But no, that’s when things are most attacked.  I’ve seen it over and over and over.  Churches join together to have an evangelistic outreach, it is finished, everyone relaxes after a time of great cooperation, and then great disunity strikes.    A great movie is made for the kingdom, and then attacks and strife hit after it has been released to the world and the “hard work” is done.  A leader who speaks mightily for the Lord all over the world comes back home and in the emptiness and tiredness of ministry, finds himself making moral compromises.

It’s smart on the part of the devil.  People are tired, they are mentally “done,” and it’s a time of “rest” and “peace.”  But typically that is not the case.

Rehoboam (Solomon’s boy who became king), faced this.  When he had firmly established himself, he relaxed.  And he left the LORD and followed evil ways (2 Chr 12:1).  But on the other hand Asa understood.

For a season Asa experienced peace in the land.  It wasn’t forever but it persisted.  And instead of just reasting on his laurels and enjoying the season of peace, he took advantage of it to become stronger.

“Because the land experienced peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah” (2 Chr 14:6).

Extended seasons of peace and rest weren’t a time to just relax and enjoy, but also a time to become stronger.  To strengthen what needed strengthening and repair what needed repairing.  It wasn’t a time to work oneself to exhaustion, but rather to enjoy the times and take advantage of them to become stronger.

Peace doesn’t always have to look like everything nice and pleasant around us.  Peace can mean that we are in lockdown and can’t do the things we normally can do.  But there’s more time.

Interestingly I’ve watched several videos now on how people in their time of quarantine and lockdown began to pursue their understanding of their faith.  And because of it they have come to the Lord (here’s one of those stories).

Times such as these can also mean strengthening relationships with family.  Or taking on new ministries for the kingdom that are digital.

Either way times of peace, whether they be political peace, or just times of stillness, such as quarantine or lockdowns, we can see these as times to strengthen things that need strengthening, and building things that need built.    Reaching out where there needs reaching out.

This was the story of Asa.  He was a revivalist in every way.  And he didn’t let the times of peace drown him in pleasure and soil his soul.  Instead he blessed the Lord and pressed on to the things that needed to be done.