Monday Morning Encouragement -- Fourth Week of Advent -- Peace

 

Image Source:https://www.heartlight.org/

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Isaiah 26:3-4

As part of our celebration of the Advent season, we're exploring the four themes of Advent: Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace. Three weeks ago we looked at Hope. The following week we delved into Faith. Last week we considered what the Bible has to say about Joy. This final week of Advent we focus on Peace.

Peace

When you hear the word "peace", what comes to mind? For some it's the absence of war. It's peace among the nations. For others it's peace of mind; a feeling of well-being. Perhaps you think of a peaceful environment; a lack of noise or chatter. Or maybe it's peace in our relationships. Harmony among family members, or friends. And then, of course, there's peace with God, which I consider to be the most important peace there is. For when we have made peace with Him, our future is secure. Both here on earth, and, more importantly, in the life to come. What we call the afterlife.

The first advent of Christ -- which we are celebrating this season -- is His incarnation. God came to earth in the form of a baby, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin. And they called him Jesus, which in Hebrew is translated "Yeshua", which means "God saves". Jesus (Yeshua) laid down all the privileges and rights He had in Heaven and came to earth in human form (fully God and fully man) to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all people, no matter their race, or color, or nationality. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). So peace with God comes when we believe that Jesus is who He says He is (God's son and our Savior), repent of our sins (turn away from our sinful lifestyle), and receive Christ as our Savior (His finished work on the cross is sufficient for our salvation). Peace with God guarantees that we will be with Him forever. Physical death is not the end. It's the beginning! 

What's more, this peace with God assures us that Jesus dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. And it is this indwelling that we draw upon when chaos surrounds us. Whether its the chaos of hostility among the nations, or chaos in our personal lives, we can have peace. The perfect peace spoken of in Isaiah 26. Jesus isn't just nearby, He's living in us. Stop and let that sink in. If Jesus is your Savior, as He is mine, then there is no way to be separate from Him. He's always with you. He's always with me. That knowledge gives me peace regardless of the trouble that may be swirling around me.

I like the way Billy Graham said it: "Christ alone can bring lasting peace -- peace with God -- peace among men and nations -- and peace within our hearts."

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Eventually there will be lasting peace among the nations. But that won't happen until the Second Advent of Christ. When He returns to earth in all His glory to defeat the power of evil and set up His kingdom. (See Revelation 19:11-16.) Hallelujah!

I hope our study of the four themes of Advent have been a blessing to you, and have helped you see more of Jesus this Christmas. 

This week's music video Perfect Peace by Laura Story is, indeed, a peaceful song of the perfect peace Jesus give us.

May God grant you a hopeful, faithful, joyful, peaceful, and Christ-filled Christmas. I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.