JEHOVAH-SHALOM: GOD IS PEACE, THE LORD IS PEACE
The holiday season is in full force now
as the counting down of days until Christmas dwindles. But when the
days are dark and gloomy, and the sun hides its warmth and beauty,
then the heart, mind and spirit begin to fade.
Without a permanent hope living in the
heart, chaotic emotions surface and hopelessness permeates the person
who lives without hope. When memories of better or happier times fill
the mind of one who is facing a dark holiday due to loss in their
lives, then joy can be hard to find or even seem worth looking for.
The spirit begins to fade and the person, perhaps, becomes a recluse,
a hermit; refusing to leave the safety of home, wherever home may be.
Not everyone will have a merry Christmas.
Peace of mind, joy of spirit/life,
contented heart. These things can only be found in Christ. In Him we
find 'peace that passes understanding'. Why? Because His Name is
Prince of Peace. Because His Name is Mighty Counselor. Philippians
4:7 "And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." It is a peace
beyond the understanding or comprehension of the human mind and
heart.
His Peace flies in the face of this
world's logic, which stands to reason since this world is chaotic, in
turmoil, and speaks from a hardened heart which has denied the
presence of God and Christ for so long that the very Name which
brings Peace is now outlawed in many nations and governments of those
nations.
His Peace is not defined by calculation
of time: it does not leave you unless you leave Him first. His Peace
remains, and is ever lasting because Christ is Prince of Peace for
ever and ever. In His Peace we find rest. Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Matthew
11:28 " Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." A heavy laden heart that is brought or returned to Christ
will receive rest. Does not this sound lovely? A resting place in
Jesus Christ that brings peace to the heart, the mind and the spirit.
The soul is content in Him.
Matthew 2:14 “Glory to God in the
highest, peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” Peace, peace of
mind, was declared to all who hear this salutation delivered by a
multitude of the heavenly host of God. Peace beyond the understanding
of the mind, a peace which only the heart was aware of at first. Why?
Because it is with the heart that man (and woman and child) believes
that Jesus Christ is Lord. It is with the eyes of the heart that a
person sees the saving grace and reality of God's love through His
only begotten Son Jesus Christ, the Sovereign of heaven: The King has
come to be King of our hearts, Lord of our lives, Savior of our
souls, Redeemer who redeems the unwanted, the unloved, the unworthy,
the unforgiven, the unsaved. And from what, do you ask, are we
redeemed? From the bondage and captivity of sin.
Isaiah 61:1 tells us He came to set
captives free, and open prisons where they were bound. Not prisons of
stone and iron, but the prison of the mind. To free they who are
without hope, without joy, without love, without the Truth of God's
Word being made known to them. To set at liberty they who are
addicted to various evil activities. His Peace releases us from
thoughts and actions that would only ensure our continued slavery to
sin. His Peace breaks spiritual chains and forces open closed doors
when the person who receives Him as Savior and Lord and King into
their hearts, is set free.
In order to stay set free though, we
must ask for the baptism of God's Holy Spirit, that He might lead us
in God's written Word, thereby revealing God's Living Word of Jesus
Christ. I cannot declare The Truth of God's Word on my own. I must
daily surrender myself to Christ, seeking ever more of myself to be
less and more of Him to be in me. That I might be more like Christ,
more loving, more giving, more merciful and compassionate. That more
of His light, and less of my self, would shine through into someone
else's life, thereby giving them the opportunity to receive this
glorious Prince of Peace into their own hearts.
The peace which was declared on that
beautiful day is a peace of wholeness with God. No longer would sin
separate mankind from His Creator, for our Savior had been born. In a
lowly place. Leaving behind His glory, He wrapped Himself in flesh
instead of light, for us. For you and for me, this newly born baby,
retaining all honor, dignity and integrity of being God's Son, placed
Himself in harm's way for our benefit. His Peace is mine.
I can face the holidays, every day
even, because He lives in me. My heart is His throne, Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." My mind focuses
on His Word: Philippians 4:8 " Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of
good report; if there
be any
virtue, and if there
be any
praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both
learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of
peace shall be with you."
My will is surrendered every day to do His will, Romans 12:1-3 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
My soul
prospers, Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
My spirit is content, Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,therewith to be content." I have this peace because I have
Jesus.
"Peace on earth" is yours for the asking.
