March 5, 2018 – Luke 2
"Glory to God in
the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14
The presence of Jesus
brings us peace in the MIDST of circumstances.
Most of us consider peace as the absence of unpleasant
circumstances. Just think of parents who
hunger for peace from the houseful of screaming kids. Or the manager that is looking for some peace
from all the day’s problems. Or maybe
the patient who can’t find peace with the news of returning cancer.
But Jesus doesn’t separate peace from circumstances. In fact, peace is finding rest in the MIDST
of the circumstances.
That’s why the angels can announce peace to shepherds who
are surrounded by noise & burdens, living in a country ruled by Roman
paganism, and in short order facing the death of their baby boys. Peace is not the absence of problems for
these people, it’s more the courage to move through the problems knowing God is
still there.
That’s why Peter can sing songs in a Roman jail, and stand
before the Sanhedrin with boldness to proclaim the salvation of Jesus against
threats of stoning.
That’s why Paul can go through flogging, stoning,
persecution & pain, and still be ready to pick himself off the ground and
travel to the next city to preach the Gospel.
That’s why great hymn writers can bless us with amazing
songs over the ages, pronouncing hope and grace after facing terrible pain or
grief. It’s why missionaries lay down
their lives in foreign countries, some facing prison, some even martyred, only
to see their family or friends pick up the cause of their mission.
And it’s why you can continue to have hope in your
circumstances – no matter how enduring or painful they are, because Jesus’
peace is not killed or eliminated by unpleasant circumstances. In fact, it is stronger than our
circumstances. Jesus brings peace that
outlasts our circumstances. And He saw
fit to let it rest on you and me!
We are a blessed generation, because we live in that
generation of favor. His favor is not
about bank accounts or material blessing.
His favor is about peace. We have
His Peace to overcome our circumstances.
And that peace is what allows you to shout “Glory to God in the
Highest”, no matter what struggles you face.
Watch for it! You
will see the ‘Peace which Passes All Understanding’ show up in the midst of
circumstances. You will hear it in the
sounds of worship that come from people who have endured great difficulty. You will discover true peace – not in the
sheltered life, but in the overcoming life.
And when you do, remember to Give God the Glory! You’ve found His Peace!
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