Lasting Peace
In today’s culture, a word that gets thrown around is the word “peace,” most often used in the context of conflict or violence. It conjures up a picture of Hippies flashing peace signs as they protested the Vietnam War, opposing nations sitting down at a table to sign a peace accord (that will not last) to stop their fighting, someone being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, or maybe spouses trying to make peace after an ugly argument. The world fights for peace, it negotiates for peace, sometimes even buying peace, but ultimately the peace found in this world is only temporary.
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, or negotiate for, peace, but instead, 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.” Here Jesus is not talking about the world being free of conflict, but rather the peace He is speaking of brings a state of tranquility, serenity or quietness to your soul, a calmness of confidence in God. This peace is not the absence of turmoil. Instead, it is the presence of the One who carries the quiet, the peace with Him. We can learn to be still, and quiet our own souls in the presence of God.
When the angels announced the birth of Jesus, here is what they proclaimed – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”
This verse seems to indicate that with the birth of Jesus, who is the long-awaited Messiah, glory is to be given to God and that some new kind of peace is promised to those who are pleasing to Him. So, just what does it mean to be pleasing to God? In my opinion – to live a life in obedience to God and in accordance with His will. When we live like this, we are pleasing to God. Romans 5:1 tells us that we make peace with God when we commit our lives to Jesus and Philippians 4:7 promises us that we will have the peace of God when living a life pleasing to Him.
“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).
So, as you expectantly wait upon the coming Messiah, will you allow His lasting peace, a peace that passes all understanding, to guard your heart and mind?
Dave’s note: As I continue to move at a slow pace as my brain heals and re-wires itself, and as I look spent time with family, this will be my last writing until sometime next week. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and may the peace of Jesus be with you today, tomorrow, and forevermore.
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