31 Dec, 2007
Peace On Earth?
Does this look like "peace on earth" to you?
photos courtesy images.google.com
Luke 2:10-14
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (ESV)
After reading today's God's Story scripture, what do you think the angels meant when they told the shepherds that they were bringing "Good News" and that "Peace on Earth" had arrived?
It's pretty obvious that if the angels meant that the Christ child was bringing peace between earthly nations, God failed.
Sadly, millions of people exchange Christmas cards with the words, "Peace on Earth" on them, but have little or no idea of what this means.
The only time there will be peace on earth is during a future time after Christ's second coming. Until then, sinful people will continue to be selfish and hate each other. Until then, sinful nations will continue to be selfish and fight each other. Until then, there will be no peace on earth and the world will continue to see and experience bad news.
At the time of Christ's birth, most Jews were waiting for a Savior to deliver them from Roman rule, or from physical ailments. But Jesus, the Messiah, came to deliver them from sin. Christ came to set up a Kingdom and He heals sickness, but His "peace" is so much more than most people understand.
Christ came to pay the price for our sin and provide peace with God. He brings more than political or physical change - He brings change to our lives both now and forever.
This "peace" is a gift that God. It is the only "good news" that lasts.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
Thank God for the peace He offers through His Son's death and resurrection. If you know Christ as Savior, praise Him for the privilege of receiving His gift both now and forever! Pray that 2008 will be a time when people of every nation on the face of the earth will come to recognize that "peace" is needed and available only through Jesus Christ.
During these holidays, pray for someone in your storysphere who needs peace with God.
Pray for the soldiers who could not be home for the holidays because they are fighting terrorists somewhere. Pray for their families to experience God's peace. Pray for the soldiers who don't know Christ as Savior to receive "peace" with God through Jesus.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Remember that one way you can demonstrate "peace with God" in your life is to love and forgive those around you with whom you have not had a peaceful relationship...parents...siblings...others at school...others at work...
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