A Thrill of Hope - Week 2: Day 4
A Season of Peace
It is hard to look around, especially during 2020, and imagine that there could ever be a season of peace. Christmas Peace. From the Prince of Peace. Because of the Gospel of Peace. I never thought I would see the day when it was ok for peaceful protests do the damage they have done, steal merchandise as they have done, destroy property as they have done, injure our law enforcement as they have done, and frankly, disrespect our societal structure as they have done. I never thought I would see this day, and honestly, I am sorry I did. It has caused me to create a line that I never thought I would create. It is a line that quietly rages within me over the injustices that have occurred and has caused me to lose respect and concern for the way those acting like this even feel. For me, it is bittersweet. I am almost ashamed I feel this way, but nonetheless…I cannot deny it. I am not speaking of a political position, nor am I referring to ethnicity, or economic status. But I am referring to all those who participate with the lack of respect and regard that should be required by all Americans. In order to enjoy the freedoms offered in America, people must be required to abide by the law! It is fundamental to who we are. Protesting is one thing…rioting is quite another. Every rioter ought to be jailed and tried without prejudice, and ought to suffer the consequences of their actions, in my personal opinion. The war we see taking place is no longer subtle. It is a war between good and evil, and evil is on an uprising.
So, where does peace come in? Peace is not for everyone…it is for everyone who believes. I believe, and I have peace. Though I feel as I do, I am completely at peace knowing that God will handle this day. He is the not silent. And when the time comes, He can be heard by all (Psalm 19:1-14).
Luke 2:12-14 says:
Notice in this passage who the angels announced this message to? It wasn’t the world; it was the shepherds. The message was given in a world of chaos, not much unlike today, and it was directed to certain shepherds at a specific time in a specific place. I am not speaking of this message in the context of the gospel, I am speaking of this message in the context of peace.
Here is the thing… this is the point I am making. A sign, just as if it were given to the shepherds, is being given to each of us. At a specific time and in a specific place. God is not surprised that you are sitting here reading, and He has this message for you…there is a babe in a manger…Jesus… there is Jesus! You have a sign…Jesus. You have been chosen for this time and in this place to see this sign…Jesus! He is real, He is near, and He has chosen you to see this sign. Can you see it? In order to see it you must have faith; without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Without this faith, you will be unable to see the sign.
A confirmation of the sign (Jesus) is peace. It was not the world He said He would leave peace too, it was His disciples (John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you, Peace I give you,” says Jesus to his disciples. A peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). What is required to experience the peace of God is a confident faith in the promises of God. For this reason, Paul prays, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus gives peace to those who believe (have faith) confidently in His promises. Christ has brought a peace. Are you enjoying it even in this season? Are there things that He is laying on your heart. Write them down, reflect, pray them out, glorify Him!
It is hard to look around, especially during 2020, and imagine that there could ever be a season of peace. Christmas Peace. From the Prince of Peace. Because of the Gospel of Peace. I never thought I would see the day when it was ok for peaceful protests do the damage they have done, steal merchandise as they have done, destroy property as they have done, injure our law enforcement as they have done, and frankly, disrespect our societal structure as they have done. I never thought I would see this day, and honestly, I am sorry I did. It has caused me to create a line that I never thought I would create. It is a line that quietly rages within me over the injustices that have occurred and has caused me to lose respect and concern for the way those acting like this even feel. For me, it is bittersweet. I am almost ashamed I feel this way, but nonetheless…I cannot deny it. I am not speaking of a political position, nor am I referring to ethnicity, or economic status. But I am referring to all those who participate with the lack of respect and regard that should be required by all Americans. In order to enjoy the freedoms offered in America, people must be required to abide by the law! It is fundamental to who we are. Protesting is one thing…rioting is quite another. Every rioter ought to be jailed and tried without prejudice, and ought to suffer the consequences of their actions, in my personal opinion. The war we see taking place is no longer subtle. It is a war between good and evil, and evil is on an uprising.
So, where does peace come in? Peace is not for everyone…it is for everyone who believes. I believe, and I have peace. Though I feel as I do, I am completely at peace knowing that God will handle this day. He is the not silent. And when the time comes, He can be heard by all (Psalm 19:1-14).
Luke 2:12-14 says:
“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Notice in this passage who the angels announced this message to? It wasn’t the world; it was the shepherds. The message was given in a world of chaos, not much unlike today, and it was directed to certain shepherds at a specific time in a specific place. I am not speaking of this message in the context of the gospel, I am speaking of this message in the context of peace.
Here is the thing… this is the point I am making. A sign, just as if it were given to the shepherds, is being given to each of us. At a specific time and in a specific place. God is not surprised that you are sitting here reading, and He has this message for you…there is a babe in a manger…Jesus… there is Jesus! You have a sign…Jesus. You have been chosen for this time and in this place to see this sign…Jesus! He is real, He is near, and He has chosen you to see this sign. Can you see it? In order to see it you must have faith; without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Without this faith, you will be unable to see the sign.
A confirmation of the sign (Jesus) is peace. It was not the world He said He would leave peace too, it was His disciples (John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you, Peace I give you,” says Jesus to his disciples. A peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). What is required to experience the peace of God is a confident faith in the promises of God. For this reason, Paul prays, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus gives peace to those who believe (have faith) confidently in His promises. Christ has brought a peace. Are you enjoying it even in this season? Are there things that He is laying on your heart. Write them down, reflect, pray them out, glorify Him!
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