PRINCE OF PEACE
"For to us a child is born . . .
and his name shall be called . . . Prince of Peace." ~ Isaiah 9.6
I am busy. I am probably too busy. And honestly, in my heart of hearts, I know that I am too busy.
But…somehow…I wear my busyness as a badge of honor. When people ask me how I am, I seem to always answer, “busy.” And there is a sense of pride, in me, to be honest, because I know that I am busy at Kingdom-building work: I teach at a Christian college, which is all too often more than a fulltime job. I am also currently a doctoral student, which regularly consumes a big chunk of my time and mental space. And I strive to be an involved husband and father and church member and serve on several committees and maintain relationships with friends and…
I am too busy.
There are days where I am simply rushing from one thing to the next, or trying—and failing miserably—to “multitask,” which cognitive science says is really a myth anyway. God did not create us to run in seventeen different directions at once. I have heard it said, “God created you to be a human being, not a human doing.”
How often do we get wrapped up in the busyness of doing, and forget to just be? Perhaps we need to be admonished in the words of the psalmist: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
So often, there is very little stillness in our world. Everyone seems to have a great rush of worry to do more, to get more, to achieve more, to be more…we have a great need of stillness, of quiet, of peace.
In the face of worries and anxieties, Paul encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6, 7) We do not need to be our worries. We are invited into moments of stillness, when we can joyfully be at rest in God’s presence. When we slow down, catch our breath, still our worried, busy hearts, and rest, we can know true peace—incredible, unknowable peace.
In his Messianic prophecy in chapter 6, Isaiah names Jesus “Prince of Peace.” His rule is one of peace.
We are in Advent, the season of the church year when we are looking forward with longing to Christ’s second coming, even as we remember His first coming. When Christ Jesus comes again, He will bring the Peaceable Kingdom in all its fullness! In the meantime, even amidst your busyness, recognize that He has already come, and he already rules as Prince of Peace. (article in In All Things online magazine by Dave Mulder http://t.ly/fwKSI)
Prayer
Jesus, grant us peace. Help us to be seekers of peace – with you, with others, with ourselves. Help us to find peace in You. Rest in You. Solace in You. When all the world rages around us; while chaos erupts; help us to rest firmly in the peace of knowing You and trusting You. Help us find peace in our minds, our spirits, our hearts, and in our bodies. Amen.
Peace in Faith (acrylic on canvas)
(by Debbie Clark)
This beautiful artwork by Debbie Clark juxtaposes the dark, foreboding storm in the background with the light in the foreground. But the storm in the background is not the problem. It’s the solution. The storm brings the rain.
The young woman at the center sits in the midst of a dry and barren wasteland, incapable of sustaining life . . . her life or any life as demonstrated by the dead tree. She is cast into a dry and weary wasteland with no hope.
Yet, in her hand is a dove. A universal and ancient symbol of peace. Why should she have peace. She’s in a drought-scarred landscape with a storm on the horizon.
But that’s just it. The storm is coming, and though it appears to be a menacing foe, the antagonist of the drama about to play out, it’s in the storm that the life-sustaining rain will come.
It is often in the storm that we see the power and sovereignty of God. Peter walked with Jesus on the waters of the Sea of Galilee in the midst of a storm. It is in the storm that Peter found Jesus waiting with open arms and extended hand to bring comfort, peace, and rescue from certain death (Matthew 14.22-33).
The young woman has her eyes on the dove, a symbol not only for peace, but for the Holy Spirit of God. And as the dove rests on her hand, the very peace of God rests on her even in the midst of a drought and in the midst of a looming storm because Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Keep your eyes on the Prince of Peace.
Peace in Faith (acrylic on canvas)
by Debbie Clark t.ly/4Jmd9
Peace in Faith (acrylic on canvas) (by Debbie Clark) t.ly/4Jmd9
This beautiful artwork by Debbie Clark juxtaposes the dark, foreboding storm in the background with the light in the foreground. But the storm in the background is not the problem. It’s the solution. The storm brings the rain.
The young woman at the center sits in the midst of a dry and barren wasteland, incapable of sustaining life . . . her life or any life as demonstrated by the dead tree. She is cast into a dry and weary wasteland with no hope.
Yet, in her hand is a dove. A universal and ancient symbol of peace. Why should she have peace. She’s in a drought-scarred landscape with a storm on the horizon.
But that’s just it. The storm is coming, and though it appears to be a menacing foe, the antagonist of the drama about to play out, it’s in the storm that the life-sustaining rain will come.
It is often in the storm that we see the power and sovereignty of God. Peter walked with Jesus on the waters of the Sea of Galilee in the midst of a storm. It is in the storm that Peter found Jesus waiting with open arms and extended hand to bring comfort, peace, and rescue from certain death (Matthew 14.22-33).
The young woman has her eyes on the dove, a symbol not only for peace, but for the Holy Spirit of God. And as the dove rests on her hand, the very peace of God rests on her even in the midst of a drought and in the midst of a looming storm because Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Keep your eyes on the Prince of Peace.
Playlist Daily Highlight
Take the time to listen . . . really listen to the words of this song. Reflect on them. Let God’s spirit speak to you in this moment.
