Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Monday, December 5
By David Lineberger
The Blessings of Peace
Read: Isaiah 32:17 ESV
“And the effort of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”
What comes to your mind when you think of peace? Is it a world without war? Is it harmony at home where everyone gets along? How about being able to fall asleep at night without a single worry about what will happen tomorrow? Is peace really possible, or just an impossible dream?
Sometimes peace is a matter of perspective. Who among us hasn’t experienced something in our lives that has prevented us from enjoying a sense of peace, only to ignore so many of our other blessings? I once worked with a parish where God’s blessings were in great abundance. They had wonderful close multi-generational families, quality worship, abundance of support, and everything needed for physical comfort. But, you could never have a conversation with some without a litany of complaints. They had slipped into the habit of being negative. They seemed to never be at peace.
As Christians we share the most important peace one can have, which is the knowledge that our relationship with God is good. We know that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Peace came to us with the advent of the Christ Child which brought us into a right relationship with God. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, which means completeness, soundness, and welfare. Saying shalom to others meant that you were wishing that “well-being be upon you.” True happiness is letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
When we become despondent over things which bring us down, let us remember to celebrate what is most important, the peace that Christ Jesus brings during this Advent season.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the love and peace we know because of the gift of your Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
