I love how this verse emphasizes peace that goes beyond ourselves and into our relationships with other people. Not only can we experience true peace in our own hearts and minds as a result of full restoration with God, but God’s desire is that we also strive for and experience restoration and peace with others. It reminds me of Romans 12:18, which says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
God knows the difficulty that we face when living at peace with others, both because of the sin in others as well as our own brokenness. However, I’m always convicted by the phrase, “as far as it depends on you.” We don’t always have control of different situations, relationships, or the ways people perceive us. Still, we can always ask God to help us do our part to encourage, love on, and live at peace with others.