How many times during the last few weeks as the holidays approached (and arrived) and life grew increasingly more hectic did you hear yourself saying "What I wouldn't give for some peace and quiet"?
What? You didn't say that? It was just me? LOL
Four young grandchildren filled our house with their laughter, games and occasional fighting and whining for nearly a week. They definitely stole the "quiet" . . . and happily so (most of the time). But they did not steal the "peace." That's because peace is not dependant on outward circumstances.
The blessing of PEACE in a believer's life comes from the presence of the Prince of Peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace foretold by the prophet Isaiah (9:6). His presence in our lives brings peace into all our circumstances.
Jesus' peace was inseparable from His character. He was a man of peace. Read almost any story from the Gospels of His ministry and you will find people around Him distressed, upset, worried, angry - disturbed. But not Jesus. He met every situation with calm assurance and a sense of peace.
WHY?
The secret to His peace was His relationship with His Father. He stayed in continual fellowship with the Father through prayer. He loved the Father and was totally and completely committed to doing the Father's will. He trusted the Father for every outcome.
Fellowship with God + Love God + Trust God = Peace. That sounds like a pretty good formula, doesn't it?
Peace for the Christian is not a shallow emotion based on feelings or circumstances. Peace for the believer is a deep confidence and joy based on the victorious work of Christ on the cross...and it's available to us all day - every day - not just during the holidays. When Jesus is our companion in life, we experience His peace. It's one of the "fruits" the Holy Spirit produces in our lives.
How sad that we so often allow the hurry and hassle of the holidays to rob us of our peace. We get so caught up in all our busyness and activity that we fail to cultivate our companionship with Christ. We fail to be in His Word. He speaks to us through His Word, you know; and the sound of His voice fills our hearts with peace.
Thank God today for the blessing of His peace in your life. And the next time you find yourself harried and stressed, make a conscious decision to let His peace chase those disturbances away. Fellowship with Him. Love Him. Trust Him.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts ... Col. 3:15
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