Episode #14 When You Need Peace – Hard and Holy Christmas

Hi friends! Christmas is coming! And today we're looking at one of the prophetic words about the Messiah that is recorded in the Old Testament book of Isaiah 9:6. It says:

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This is who Jesus is, and who he has alway been for us. During the hard and the holy of the advent season, and all year long, we get to have Jesus as our Prince of Peace. We also see this good news proclaimed by the angels in Luke 2. After Christ is born they declare glory to God and peace on earth. Jesus doesn't just send peace from afar like a gift in the mail. He came to earth as our peace. Where he is, peace is there too. Better what the world can give, peace beyond understanding.

Sometimes I want to have peace because I have understanding. Things make sense, or calm down, or get easier, or problems get solved, and therefore I can take a breath. But Philippians doesn't describe God's peace that way. Let's read from Philippians 4:6-9.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Peace which surpasses understanding because the God of peace is with us.

I tend to think of "peace beyond understanding" to mean peace outside of what makes sense, or beyond logic, without reason. But that's not right. This word for "surpassing" here in biblical Greek is hoop-er-ekh'-o. It means to stand out; to be above; superior in rank, authority or power; higher; to surpass as better than. The better than and superior-to-understanding peace of God to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We can focus on God and practice what he teaches and the God of stand-out-above-peace will be with us. Why? Because Jesus is the Prince of Peace that surpasses.

So, if you find yourself in a circumstance right now that requires peace beyond understanding, or a season that needs peace better than the chaos around you, that's the kind of problem that Jesus solves. And he doesn't work to solve it. This isn't a "muster up all his strength" situation. Nothing is hard for God. Which we know, but sometimes we forget.

I find myself in a season with lots of things beyond my control. I can easily become overwhelmed if I try to figure out my own peace based on what I can understand. But I don't have to. The Prince of Peace enters my season with me and he carries peace with him just because of who he is. Sometimes I forget and I hold too tightly to something else as my comfort, my source, or my peace. When I realize my mistake, I get to exchange that lesser thing with Jesus and choose to hold to him again instead.

My peace is Jesus. And your peace is Jesus. So let's talk with him about it.

God, I need you as my peace. I invite you into this season with me. What do you want to show me about the peace you offer me?

Have a good talk!

And if you've been encouraged by this content, please share it with a friend and help them grow in their conversational relationship with God too!

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