And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44 (English Standard Version, ESV)

Jesus wept over Jerusalem for that day was a day of visitation to save them from what was coming in the future if they were to reject the salvation of God. Jesus said if they had known on this day “the things that make for peace.” Peace is the Greek word eirene. In Hebrew it is the word shalom. It refers to wholeness, wellness, prosperity, blessing, nothing missing and nothing broken. Sadly, they could not see what God wanted for them or what the future held. Jesus’ words would come to pass in 70 AD. with the siege and ultimate fall of the city to the Romans.

If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end! Deuteronomy 32:29 (English Standard Version, ESV)

God has a good life and latter end for us. However, if we don’t discern this by listening to the Lord, our latter end may not be so good.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (English Standard Version, ESV)

Jesus gives us peace, but we must receive that peace to benefit from it. If we receive Jesus, Who is peace, and receive His peace, we can avoid some trouble down the road. We can ensure a better future by recognizing when Jesus visits us. Through His person, presence, power, and promises, we walk in peace and steer clear of trouble. It is true that trouble will come because we live in this fallen world (John 16:33), but trouble doesn’t have to trouble us. We can maintain our peace in the midst of trials.

In maintaining our peace, we shall see good days and avoid the things the enemy wants to use to take us out. Be wise and stay sensitive to the presence of the Lord and recognize when Jesus is there. Our latter end will be better when we see and accept the Lord’s visitation.