SCRIPTURE:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14
OBSERVATION:
These words from Luke are most famous for being the way the Christmas story is told in plays, musicals and Charlie Brown TV specials. Yet here today it pops out to me for one simple word, PEACE.
Not much peace going around nowadays. Fighting and conflict rule the headlines. For me, my prayers and pursuit for peace are often just futile acts to avoid conflict. I can be guilty of being a peacekeeper rather that a peacemaker, and only the latter is called blessed.
APPLICATION:
But the angels word here reminds me that peace is there if I simply remember the glory of God in the highest of heavens. Peace is found in His favor, and His favor rests on me. That’s pretty simple. Give glory to God = favor = peace. That’s a math equation I can get behind. Thatʻs the formula for being a peacemaker.
But from my poor perspective, being a peacemaker can result in more turmoil, a frustrating turmoil that runs rampant in my mind. Advocating peace and unity often requires me to bind the fury and fire that burns my soul. It doesn’t bring me to a place of peace, rather it frustrates me to a place of uncertainty and evaluation. But Godʻs favor rests on me. If I simply look up to the highest of heavens.
I desire peace, but only if it fits into my ideal of peace, which often means I’m comfortable, I get my way, I’m ok. But what does a true peace, a perfect peace really mean?
It means being still before the Lord and trusting Him, allowing him to avenge and handle things.
It means allowing His anointed to operate without resistance, regardless of how I feel about it.
It means dodging spears if need to, and offering up the other cheek and going the 2nd mile.
It means putting away the blade when the kill is being served on a platter.
It means not complaining to those who I know will have my back and empower my agenda.
It means if I have a problem or complaint I take it to God and God alone.
It means peacemakers sow peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Bottom line: It means I apply the Peace Equation to all things
Give Glory to God + Rest in His Favor = Perfect Peace
PRAYER:
Again Jesus, transform my mind and heart. I need you to intervene. My planning and strategizing won’t do it. I worship and give glory to you and rest in your peace.
