In the tumultuous world in which we live, peace is frequently sought after, but let’s be honest, infrequently truly found. We fight for peace, negotiate for peace, sing about peace, travel on pilgrimages to find peace, wages war to protect peace, but ultimately the peace found in this world is only temporary. External peace comes and goes, it changes with circumstances. Often, internal peace is not different. That calmness you found last night, sitting quietly outside under the stars, lasted only until you rolled around all night, unable to sleep. 

When Isaiah was prophesying about the birth of Jesus, some 700 years before His birth, one of the names he gave to the coming Messiah was Prince of Peace. (Do you know the other three? Read Isaiah 9:6 to find out.) Jesus, the Prince of Peace, brings a different kind of peace than is found in the world. He does not fight for, sing about, look for, or negotiate for, peace, but rather, freely gives it away to all who trust in Him. In John 14:27 we see Jesus saying this, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

In that passage, Jesus is contrasting the world’s version of false and fleeting peace with a peace that brings a state of tranquility, serenity or quietness to your soul, a calmness by confidence in God. This peace is not the elimination of turmoil and chaos. Instead, it is the presence of the One who offers lasting and permanent peace in the turmoil and chaos. We can learn to be still, and quiet our own souls in the presence of God.

The world’s solution in finding peace does not address the root of the problem. Instead, we try to “fix” the problem by doing good, without addressing the root cause of the problem. For instance, we build wells to provide clean water in poverty areas without ever addressing the root cause of poverty (failure to care for creation, oppression, laziness, foolishness, corruption). So then, what is the problem? Quite simply, in my opinion, it is sin. Isn’t it true that so often we try to fix the results of sin but fail to address the reality that the real problem is the sin itself. This kind of false peace is only temporary. Doing good does not fix sin, only Jesus Christ can do that. Jesus does not ignore sin, he heals it, making his peace very different from the peace we find in the world. 

So, the question is – This Advent Season, as I expectantly wait upon the coming Messiah, will I allow Him to deal with my sin problem, and in doing so, give me lasting peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding my heart and mind? Can I be so bold and ask you that same question?

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

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The daily grind of life is full of challenges, many of which look like skyscrapers. Isn’t it true that some mornings you wake up full of energy and ready for the upcoming day while other days you wish you could pull the covers back up over your head and just lie in the safety and warmth of our bed? And some days you feel ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound while other days it is as if you’ve slammed into the side of the building.

As we enter into this season of Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, we expectantly anticipate the coming of the Messiah. It is a season of great hope, of expectation, and of waiting for the presence of Immanuel, God with us. It is also a season of added stress. And for many, a season of loneliness and despair. With so much going on, often this season, while at times joyful, also feels and looks like much a 60-story building.   

I offer these five verses to you as encouragement, as hope, as expectation, that regardless of what comes your way today, you can be assured that God is with you, and He is able to help you go through, go around, or go over a tall building.

• I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

• In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

• We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:30

• For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

• On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3

And how about a few verses inviting you to a place of rest.

• Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

• Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

• Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

I sure do need these verses. How about you? Thank you, Jesus, for giving me rest and also strength to leap tall buildings.

If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.