Brimming with activities and appointments, the holiday season's default definition of peace is merely the opposite of the hustle and bustle to which you and I have grown accustomed. Shopping sprees, dessert gatherings, church plays, kids' recitals, photo shoots, family newsletters, traffic jams, and far too many parties -- insert: cookies or other treats -- have become the norm yet often leave us haggard.
And so when we hear "Peace" we automatically fantasize about or yearn for "stillness" or "blissful quietness," imagining ourselves transported to an idyllic place where all the noise or chaos is uninvited. For me, I readily picture myself wrapped in a crocheted blanket, sitting as close as possible to the fire, gazing at a snow-covered landscape, sipping a cup of hot deliciousness, reading a favorite book . . .
(Feel free to transpose and imagine your own version of said magical place)
Or . . .
Pause.
Think.
Ponder.
Could that be all there is to the peace of Advent?
Two prophets foretold a peace to come that is altogether different:
Isaiah described it as a prize (total reconciliation or intimacy with God) bought at the highest cost (the sacrifice of the innocent One). The Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Prince of Peace, the Coming One would be despised, ridiculed, rejected, wounded, afflicted, flogged, crushed, abandoned, pierced, and martyred to pay the colossal debt of our collective and individual transgressions (trespasses that earned us the infamous title of enemies of the Father). Once paid in full through the shed blood of the Coming One, peace or true friendship or intimacy with God is available to us.
"By Your perfect sacrifice I've been brought near
Your enemy You've made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father's wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemies, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You.
Lover of my soul,
I want to live for You."
-- Sovereign Grace Ministry
Micah spoke of peace not as a prize, place, position, or purpose but as a Person -- the Great Shepherd, the majestic One, the One who is great to the ends of the earth, the Coming One shall be our peace. Jesus confirms that prophecy through His inviting words, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Mt 11:28-30, ESV).
"Whenever I am tempted
Whenever clouds arise
When songs give way to sighing
When hope within me dies
He draws me closer to Him
From care He sets me free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He cares for me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me."
-- Traditional
In Christ, we have both the prize and the person granting us intimacy with the Father and the assurance of salvation by grace through faith.
He came.
He comes daily.
He is coming again.
Won't we let Him come in?
Won't you and I receive our King?
He stands at the door and knocks wanting to permeate every single aspect of our lives. He stands ready to save us desiring to fill every nook and cranny of our hearts. He is poised to satisfy us with His love aiming to saturate every need, every anxiety, every issue, every question, every storm of ours with His unshakable and inexplicable peace.
Yes, peace.
Yes, heavenly peace.
Indeed, gracious peace on earth to all who receive Him!
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