Advent: Embracing Peace in the Midst of Chaos
Introduction:
As we gather on this second Sunday of Advent, our hearts are drawn to the theme of peace.
In a world filled with chaos, uncertainty, and noise, the promise of peace holds profound significance.
Listen to the words of Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!
7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; He burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honoured throughout the world.”
11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Friends in every circumstance of life, we can have Peace when we Be still, and know that God, the great I am, is God.
Embracing Peace in the Midst of Chaos
Today, we are going to explore the timeless message of peace offered by the Prince of Peace, a message that remains as relevant today as it was centuries ago.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "The peace of God is that eternal calm which lies far too deep in the human soul to be reached by any external disturbances."
Today, we delve into this deep and eternal peace promised by God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Promise of a Prince of Peace:
Listen to Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 6 (NLT): "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) is a prophetic verse from the Old Testament that is often associated with the anticipation of the Messiah in Christian theology.
Let's break down its meaning:
"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us." This part of the verse refers to the promise of the birth of a special child, a son.
The language used here suggests the miraculous nature of this birth and highlights the significance of the child.
"The government will rest on his shoulders." This phrase signifies that this child will bear the responsibility of governing or ruling.
It implies a position of authority and leadership that goes beyond earthly kingdoms. The idea is that the ultimate authority will be placed upon the shoulders of this prophesied child.
"And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Here, the verse lists four titles or names that will be attributed to the child. Each of these titles provides insight into the nature and role of the anticipated Messiah:
1. Wonderful Counselor: This suggests extraordinary wisdom and guidance. The Messiah is seen as a source of divine counsel, offering profound and wise advice.
2. Mighty God: This title emphasizes the deity of the Messiah. It declares that the coming child is not just a human figure but is, in fact, God in might and power.
3. Everlasting Father: This title conveys a sense of eternal fatherhood. The Messiah is portrayed as a caring and nurturing father figure, whose love and protection extend throughout eternity.
4. Prince of Peace: This title highlights one of the central themes of the Advent season—peace.
The Messiah is anticipated as the one who will bring a reign of peace, both in the hearts of individuals and in the world at large.
Isaiah 9:6 is a powerful prophecy foretelling the birth of a child who will hold a divine authority, possess extraordinary wisdom, embody the might of God, exhibit the characteristics of an everlasting and caring father, and bring a transformative and lasting peace to humanity.
This verse points to the coming of Jesus Christ,
He fulfils all of these prophetic roles.
Jesus is the Messiah — Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
This peace isn't fleeting; it's perfect and enduring for those who trust in God.
R.T. Kendall reminds us, "True peace is not merely a distant goal but the very present, living presence of Christ."
So, let's explore what this true and living peace means for us in the midst of our chaotic lives.
Understanding True Peace:
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) tells us, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
In this verse, the apostle Paul, writing to the Philippian believers, imparts a profound truth about the peace of God.
This is not just any peace; it's God's peace—something transcendent, supernatural, and beyond the limits of our understanding.
This peace originates from God Himself and is a hallmark of the Christian experience.
There is a transformative nature of this peace and it has a deep connection to a life lived in Christ.
This verse assures us that as believers we can experience a peace that goes beyond human comprehension.
This peace isn't contingent on external circumstances.
This peace does not rely on everything going well in our lives.
This is the peace that God provides in the midst of challenges, uncertainties, and even in the face of adversity.
Paul describes this peace as a guardian of our hearts and minds.
Living in Christ Jesus is the key to unlocking and maintaining this divine peace.
The peace of God acts as a protective force, standing as a sentinel over our emotions and thoughts.
It shields us from the anxieties, fears, and troubles that might otherwise assail our inner being.
The practical application of this verse in our everyday life, encourages us to actively seek a life in Christ Jesus and to trust in God's peace as a constant companion, guiding us through the complexities of life.
When we live in Christ Jesus, God offers us a supernatural serenity that defies understanding.
True peace transcends the absence of conflict.
It's a peace that surpasses human understanding, a gift from God Himself.
Max Lucado beautifully puts it, “When we are securely rooted in personal intimacy with the source of life, it will be but a small thing to experience the power of that life coursing through our own lives, transforming our frailty into the durable constancy of His own.”
Do you experience this transformative peace in your life?
Experiencing Peace Amid Chaos:
In John 14:27 (NLT), Jesus says, "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give."
Even in life's chaos, Jesus the Prince of Peace offers a unique gift—a peace that the world cannot replicate.
Imagine a mighty ship navigating the tumultuous waves of a stormy sea.
The winds howl, and the waves crash against the vessel, threatening to toss it about.
Yet, amidst the chaos, the ship remains steadfast and unyielding.
In Christ, we discover our anchor — the unshakeable force that keeps us steady in the face of life's storms.
Like a ship anchored securely, we find peace, knowing that the turbulence around us cannot prevail against the stability and strength that Christ provides.
As the ship stands firm against the raging sea, so do we, anchored in the peace that transcends the storm.
On this second Sunday of Advent, accept the peace that God offers you in Christ, — the peace that guards your heart and mind.
The Transformative Power of Peace:
Romans 12:2 (NLT) urges us, "Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
The peace offered by the Prince of Peace is not just a passive state; it's transformative.
It reshapes our thinking, aligning it with God's will, and brings about a renewal of our inner selves.
Billy Graham spoke about the transformative power of peace in the context of faith and trust in God. He said, "The secret of strength is found in the faith that abides in the hearts and homes because when people have faith, they have a God to turn to in trouble.”
Billy Graham highlights the idea that true strength and transformation come from the deep-seated faith and peace found in the hearts of individuals and within the fabric of a community.
It underscores the notion that peace, rooted in faith, has the potential to bring about significant positive change.
How can the transformative power of peace radiate from us, from you into the world?
Navigating the Storms of Life:
Psalm 29:11 (NLT) reassures us, "The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace."
Life's storms are inevitable, but the Prince of Peace provides strength and stability in the midst of them. Our peace is not shaken because it's anchored in the Lord.
Picture a tree firmly rooted, swaying but not uprooted in a storm.
In Christ, we find our roots anchored deep in the soil of His love.
As we navigate the storms of life, may the peace of Christ be our source of strength and stability.
A Peaceful Response to Adversity:
James 3:17-18 (NLT) enlightens us, "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness."
The peace of Christ not only sustains us in trials but also influences our responses to adversity.
It transforms us into peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace in a world hungry for harmony.
Think of a pebble creating ripples in a pond.
Our acts of peace can have a ripple effect, touching lives far beyond our immediate surroundings.
Does the peace you receive from Christ inspire you to be an agent of peace in the world?
Extending the Peace of Christ:
Matthew 5:9 (NLT) blesses those who work for peace, "for they will be called the children of God."
We are called not only to experience the peace of Christ but to actively work for peace.
As children of God, our lives should reflect the peaceful nature of our heavenly Father.
Think of an ambassador representing their country in a foreign land.
Our lives should represent the peace we have experienced in Christ, becoming ambassadors of peace in a world yearning for it.
Conclusion:
As we conclude our reflections on peace during this Advent season, may the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, not only guard our hearts and minds but propel us to be ambassadors of peace in a world desperate for it.
In Him, we discover not just a momentary respite but a lasting and profound peace that echoes through eternity. Amen? Amen
Encouragement:
May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, offering solace in every circumstance. Remember, you are not alone, for the Prince of Peace walks with you through every storm.
Call to Action:
This week, let's purposefully sow seeds of peace in our interactions, in our communities, and in the world.
Take a moment to reflect on how you can actively contribute to a more peaceful world.
Remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, our Prince of Peace. In Him, we find the source of our peace.
Let’s recommit ourselves to living as agents of His peace in the world.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son, our Prince of Peace.
May His peace fill our hearts, and may we, in turn, be vessels of that peace in the world.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen.
May the peace of Christ go with you this week, guiding your steps and inspiring you to be a beacon of His peace.
Go in the assurance that you are loved, and you carry the peace of the Prince of Peace wherever you go.
