Thursday, December 16th, 2021
Verse of the Day
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
— Isaiah 9:6-7a —
Welcome to another unwrapping of the names of Jesus. Jesus is the Prince of Peace! The prophet Isaiah called the coming of the Messiah the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus came into the world to bring peace, perhaps not the peace the Jews were expecting. Jesus’ peace is multidimensional, he began a process in His first coming to restore peace between us and God. The peace that was fractured in the Garden of Eden, when woman and man disobeyed God. God banished them from Eden and their relationship was changed. Jesus’ second coming will bring about wholeness just as He had intended when He first set the universe into motion.
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
~C. S. Lewis, Source “Mere Christianity, 1953
We know what peace is because we know what hostility looks and feels like. We know what war looks like and how it feels. We know what peace looks like and how it feels. “Know Peace/No Peace.”
Why would anyone choose no peace, it is our human nature and our sinfulness that keeps us tethered to the chaos of our broken world. But Jesus tells us, to take heart “I have overcome the world!”
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33 —
When reading Isaiah 9, the prophet describes the shift from gloom and darkness to the Messianic Age, and Malachi describes a time when the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. (Malachi 4:2). Jesus’ rule will store well-being to individuals and to society as a whole and He brings worldwide peace in His future kingdom. This peace can begin with all those who love and follow Him. The Prince of Peace, brings us peace with God. Even in the midst of strife and troubles, we can rest assured in our fellowship with God, we can bring about a ripple effect in all our relationship when we trust in God. True peace comes only from God.
CHALLENGE
As we look forward to family and friends gathering during this season, can we help usher in peace? Holidays can be difficult for some individuals for a variety of reasons, let’s strive to peacefully interact in these settings, keeping our focus of Jesus. After all, that’s what we are celebrating, the birth of Jesus, His arrival into the world to save us. Leave pettiness at the door, practice the age old advice, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Graciously accept and give gifts, act humbly and say thank you. I love this line from a song, but I believe it can be more widely utilized, “All gave some, some gave all.” The song speaks to our service men and women, I for one am proud and grateful for all who answer the call to serve. In regards to Christmas, Jesus gave His all to save us all.
Let’s be ambassadors of peace this Advent Season.
Prayer ~
Jesus, the Prince of Peace! We shout your name on high. Guide us to be your ambassadors of Peace. Help us extend peace, that you so freely give us. Help us to be mindful of others in all of our interactions, family gatherings , friend gatherings, while shopping and while driving. Many people are under stress and tension during the holidays, we just never know what someone else is dealing with, grant us patience and humility. In your Holy Name, Amen.
➡️ • ➡️ • ➡️ • FOR FURTHER STUDY
Judges 6:20-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Judges%206:20-24&version=NIV
Isaiah 8:21-9:7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%208:21-9:7&version=NIV
Isaiah 11:1-9 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2011:1-9&version=NIV
Luke 2:14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%202:14&version=NIV
Acts 3:15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%203:15&version=NIV
Romans 5:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%205:1&version=NIV
Ephesians 2:13-18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%202:13-18&version=NIV
Philippians 4:7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:7&version=NIV
Revelation 1:4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%201:4&version=NIV
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
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