The theme for the second week of Advent is Peace. It is a sweet time to reflect on the sanctifying work of Jesus Christ in our hearts and to live in peace. To live in peace even when the world says otherwise.
God is working in all of us this season, whether you are a believer in Jesus or not. He is calling us unto Him to receive the kind of peace that satisfies the soul. No one and nothing can provide the kind of soul-satisfying peace of Jesus Christ. As believers, God is working out the areas where we fail to trust Him and showing He is trustworthy. As a result, when we trust we have peace.
When we fall upon our knees in repentance and confess our need for forgiveness of sin, understanding Jesus paid the price for our sin, God hears and provides salvation through Jesus Christ, His only Son.
When this happens, we can have peace that surpasses all understanding mentioned in Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. That means when we have Christ in our lives and focus on His promises, we can have unexplainable peace.
Have you ever noticed a believer going through something horrific and yet they are calm and gentle? It is as if someone is carrying them and sustaining them even when it does not make sense. This is God-given peace!
Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us the story of Jesus’ coming.
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
When you look upon Jesus in the Manger, remember He is the One who came to give us everlasting peace.
Amen!
Kim A. Thomas 