The Prince of Peace

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The Prince of Peace

The “For Unto Us  A Child Is Born“ chorus  by George Frederick Handel  has touched the hearts  of people  around the world for years  —  right along with his  “Hallelujah!”  chorus.     Handel’s whole work,  “The Messiah“,  sings scripture  in a most memorable way.     And so,  we can sing Isaiah 9:6  with people around the world,  as it says,

For unto us  a child is born,  unto us  a son is given;  and the government  shall be upon His shoulder;  and His name shall be called  Wonderful,  Counselor,  The Mighty God,  The Everlasting Father,  The Prince  of Peace.

While we love listening  to this chorus,  many wonder  where is the peace.     After all,  the church has been persecuted  ever since it started.     Even today,  unbelievers constantly mock Christians  through their art work,  films,  books,  Internet postings,  and with torture  and persecution  in non-Christian countries.

That doesn’t look like peace.     So,  how can anybody  in his right mind  call Jesus  “the Prince of Peace”?

Romans 5:1 helps us  to understand  by saying,

Therefore  having been justified  by faith,  we have peace  with God  through our Lord Jesus Christ.

God proved His power  by fulfilling many prophecies  in Christ  —  and then,  He promised  to justify all  of our sins  through the blood  of Jesus.     Just because God proved  His trustworthiness beforehand,  we know  we can trust Him  to take away all  of our sins,  just as He promised.

Jesus had confirmed  this promise  of peace  to His disciples  in John 14:27,  where He said,

Peace  I leave with you;  My peace  I give  to you;  not  as the world gives,  do I give to you.     Let not your heart  be troubled,  nor let it  be fearful.

The peace Jesus promised  is not like the peace  that the world thinks of,  where there is no more war,  fightings,  cheating,  lies,  etc.     Jesus’ peace is  in our hearts  as we trust  in His power  to keep His word  of forgiveness  and salvation  through His blood.

Because it is a deep,  inner,  spiritual peace,  Paul could say  in Philippians 4:7,

And the peace of God,  which surpasses  all comprehension,  shall guard  your hearts  and your minds  in Christ Jesus.

Realizing  that God can be trusted,  because He has proven Himself  since the beginning  of creation,  gives us the peace  of faith  —  right in the middle  of all our troubles.     Yes,  we have times  of anxiety  and fear,  but then we put them  in the hands  of our everlasting,  heavenly Father,  because we know  He loves us  and has promised  to carry us  through this world.

Many would like this extraordinary peace,  because we sure do face  a lot  of troubles  day after day.     How can we get this peace?     Peter tells us  in 2 Peter 1:2,

Grace and peace  be multiplied  to you  in the knowledge  of God  and of Jesus  our Lord…

We need  to get to know the LORD,  our Creator  and Savior.     We do that  by studying His word  to us  in the Bible.     Every day we need  to set aside time  to learn more  about all that God has done  for us.     And,  we need  to spend time talking  to our Lord  —  praying.

When we realize  what God has done  and the greatness  of His love  for us,  we will grow  in peace  and faith.     Then we will say,  “Hallelujah!     God comes  to even me  in His word  to bring me peace  in His name.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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