JOYFUL PEACE

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

Reading or watching the News as it is being reported can sometimes be very depressing. Wherever one looks, there seems to be turmoil, division, conflict and death. The Middle East is marked by uncertainty; nations in Europe are flooded with refuges from the Middle Eastern countries in conflict; and America is willing to accept refugees – carte blanche – without careful and adequate vetting regarding who is entering this country. A decision was made in our government to eliminate as much as possible any collateral damage or death as part of the Military’s Rules of Engagement ordered by the President.

It is interesting to observe that the words of the prophets about the coming Messiah were given in days where tyrants ruled and conflict was a real and present danger. Even at the time of the Birth of Jesus Christ, King Herod ordered the murder of all of the male children under the age of two so he could eliminate any possibility of there being another King to usurp his place and reign (See: Matthew 2). The coming of Messiah – the birth of Jesus Christ – was couched in the language of Peace. Isaiah 9:6, “And He shall be called…the Prince of Peace.” Luke 2:13-14 records the words of the Angelic Chorus: “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men on whom His favor rests!”

Within different entries on Facebook, some of them contain sorrowful words due to the loss of loved ones; the ongoing illnesses that seem to be without remedy; the conflicts in this world that appear to be beyond any current remedy; etc. Some of these individuals we know personally and the emptiness must be especially difficult for them. I can’t even begin to know their depth of aloneness. Some time ago, a Hymn that became a favorite of mine – Deeper and Deeper – contains these words in the fourth stanza:

Into the joy of Jesus, Deeper and deeper I go,
Rising, with soul enraptured, Far from the world below.
Joy in the place of sorrow, Peace in the midst of pain,
Jesus will give, Jesus will give; He will uphold and sustain.

Another of these favorite Hymns is – Peace, Perfect Peace. The first line asks a question and the second line gives the response. Stanzas 3, 4 and 5 ask and answer:

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

In my perspective of life and this world, there is considerable significance in the words of Jesus Christ for all who follow and belong to Him. John 14:1 and 27, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well… Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.” Jesus speaks to His followers about the difficult days of turmoil, uncertainty and sorrow in John 16:32-33, “Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered…I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” Bask in His Joyful Peace as you celebrate His Birth! Consider these things with me.