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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
When you think of peace, what picture comes to mind? A quiet lake with trees reflecting like glass? A sunrise or sunset? The gentle sound of water lapping against the shore?
One of my favorite paintings symbolizing peace is the picture of a huge waterfall. The water was plunging over a cliff and in the background bolts of lightning lit up the sky. Yet, tucked into the cliff in a quiet safe place, was a bird securely snuggled into it’s nest. Peace in the midst of the storm.
Thomas Watson once wrote, “If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.”
I love the last part of that statement. The world creates trouble in the time of peace, but God, and only God, can create peace in the midst of trouble.
Jesus warns us that trouble would be a natural part of our world, yet he promised that he had already overcome the world. Those problems facing you tomorrow? Already handled. The answer is on the way!
Isaiah describes Messiah as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and our Prince of Peace. Prince of Peace is an interesting term. The name “Prince of Peace” in Hebrew is ‘Shar Shalom’, which means “the one who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures the peace.” The prince would often lead the charge in battle. He had all the tools and resources he’d need to defeat the enemy. He had the blessing of the King.
Jesus not only protects the peace, as a mighty warrior he defeats everything that would take away our peace. He destroys the peace destroyers that threaten our lives. He can heal the broken relationship. He comforts us when we need comforting. He allows strength when we are weak, courage when we are afraid, love when we feel abandoned, valued when we are rejected.
This week as we focus on peace, let us remember that anything that would rob us of peace has been defeated on the cross!
O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. Psalms 130:7
It’s Christmas! For us as parents and grandparents it’s a ‘most wonderful time of the year.’ We look forward to seeing our children. We look forward to visits and hugs from the grandchildren. We anticipate the joy of the opening of brightly colored, wrapped packages.
But for many of us there is dark side to the picture, especially in our current economic situation. While we want to give our loved ones everything their hearts desire, there are limits to our ability to give.
I remember a couple of years growing up when my dad, a pastor at the time, would go to the Christmas tree stand on Christmas Eve to get our tree because they were either free or at a greatly reduced cost. He did the best he could with the limitations he had as an underpaid pastor with a family of five boys to feed and get gifts for.
Limits are hard. That’s why we dream of winning the lottery. Wouldn’t it be nice to be unlimited in what we could buy or do?
Human hope is limited. Not Godly hope. Human hope is dependent on the ability of others or ourselves to meet our dreams. Not Godly hope.
When we put our hope on the creator/sustainer of the universe the sky is the limit. It just keeps going. Need peace. He’s got more than you can imagine. Need forgiveness? You’ll never be able to use it up. Need some love? His love is higher that the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest sea.
This Christmas season, put your hope in the one who has unlimited resources available to you through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Psalms 119:114
Do you have trouble throwing away those ‘love letters’ from long ago? Perhaps a card, or a note scribbled on paper from someone you love. Perhaps you even take them out from time to time when you are feeling hopeless because they remind you that even though life around you seems to be falling apart, you have this one gentle reminder that life will be okay, that the things that are troubling you are a blip on the screen of life.
Some look at the Bible as a confusing book that’s hard to understand. I look at it as a love letter. A friend of mine told me of a time her husband was deployed overseas. She was home with the kids. This was before internet and instantaneous, global communication.
When a letter arrived from her husband, the world stopped. She would sit and read it carefully. It was almost as if he were there. It was a reminder of hope. It was a reminder that this struggle was temporary. It was a reminder that she was making it and soon he would rejoin them.
The Psalmist paints that kind of picture of God’s word. Oh, the Bible is full of deep theological truths to be sure, but the overriding theme is a love story of a God who earnestly wants you to enjoy his company. Immanuel, God with us.
Some day, he’ll return in physical presence. Until then we have a love letter of hope. May His Word fill you with hope this Advent season and beyond.
So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalms 31:24
What we anchor our hope in determines the level of strength and courage we can draw from. Some place their hope in relationships, but relationships are fickle and can change with time. No one walks the wedding aisle with the idea that they will give this marriage thing a few months and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll move on. Of course not! One walks the aisle and vows to love until death. Yet, over 50% of the time, divorce happens.
Others may put their hope in money and career. But when recession hits, or your company downsizes, you find out quickly that hope in money and things isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Some put their hope in physical health. They eat right, exercise regularly, and do all the right things to be healthy. But we all know very healthy people who succumb to terminal illness, accidents and the like.
Courage and strength come when we put our hope in something that lasts. The Psalmist tells us courage and strength come when our hope is put in God through Jesus Christ. He’s never failed and he never will.
This holiday season, what is your hope anchored in?
Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Isaiah 40:3
It’s the holiday season and many of us have been busy getting ready for parties, family get-togethers and perhaps even travel. Maybe you’ve decorated the yard with lights and decorations tied to the season. The tree is up and decorated, waiting for brightly wrapped packages. The interior of your house may have decorations to celebrate the season as well.
After all, it’s Christmas! We spend millions of dollars every year with decorations, food and gifts. Some neighborhood’s have contests (official or unspoken) to see who has the best light display. I love Christmas! All the work we put into decorating for a few short weeks is well worth it in my book.
While preparing all the external things for Christmas is important, of more importance is preparing our hearts. No doubt Mary and Joseph prepared for the coming of the infant Jesus as much as they could. But they could never have been ready for what God had prepared for them. I’m sure if they’d known everything they’d have done things differently.
What about us? We have the privilege of looking back. Can we prepare spiritually for celebrating Messiah? Among the lights and decorations can we find time to focus on the light of the world? While we enjoy all the holiday treats, can we remember to celebrate the eternal blessings of the babe in the manger?
Isaiah reminds us to prepare the way for Lord. He calls us to search our hearts for what we feel is important. He calls us to remove the idols of worry, doubt, desire and bitterness so we can experience the Hope of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Whether your tradition celebrates Advent or not, while you are hanging the lights and cooking all those Christmas goodies, don’t forget that Jesus is the reason for the season!
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 