“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
At the moment, the world around us feels like anything but peace. Angry rhetoric, threats of violence and a lingering spirit of strife are all out to do one thing — rob you of your peace.
But praise God, peace doesn’t come from outward circumstances! That is, if you find your peace in the right place.
Christmas is the perfect reminder of what true peace looks like and how Jesus — the Light of Peace — is all you will ever need to live a peace-filled life. Here is why.
Peace Is Shalom
Most people define peace as a feeling of serenity or a quiet atmosphere — maybe even a completed “to-do” list. The Bible’s definition of peace is very different.
You see, God never intended for peace to be “easy come, easy go”. His peace is all-encompassing, never-ending shalom. It is the peace that Jesus came to bring the world, and it’s what we celebrate this time of year at Christmas.
Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. It basically means “nothing missing, nothing broken,” or wholeness in every area of life — spirit, soul and body — permanently. Not sometimes in some things. Not on one special, “out-of-the-ordinary” day. Always — in all things, including finances, health, relationships and protection.
Peace Is a Gift
That peace came at a price — the blood of Jesus. Peace with God comes from being born again and receiving this gift of shalom. It supersedes everything else going on around you, and it comes from the inside out, rather than from the outside in. Nothing can take away this peace — it is alive and residing within you.
That is why Christmas is such a big celebration! It is when the Prince of Peace was sent to restore shalom and bring everything back to the way it was meant to be, first by restoring man to God and assuring us of our eternal destination. Then, redeeming us from the curse of the law of sin and death, by including salvation, healing, deliverance, prosperity and every other good thing.
Peace Is a Decision
Most people think peace is what is happening around them, but peace is a decision. That is why Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Peace comes from making a decision to not worry or be anxious, but to cast your cares over on the Lord and trust in Him, living in continual faith in what He has already done and will continue to do in your life. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (ESV).
In order for the good news of peace on earth to have real meaning, somehow that peace—the wholeness that Jesus provided for every person’s spirit, soul and body—must become real in our own lives.
The question is: How does that happen?
Do we ask God to do it for us? Do we just keep begging Him to give us peace and deliver us from our troubles until He finally gives in? Do we just keep pleading with Him on and on to heal, prosper and bless us?
No. Quite frankly, that is a waste of time. The scriptural fact is — God has already done all He is going to do about our deliverance. We must make that a reigning truth in our own lives. When you love God’s law and focus on it, great peace is the promised result (Psalm 119:165).
That is why Jesus was able to sleep soundly in a rocking boat during a big storm. He had perfect peace — the kind that went beyond natural understanding. While His disciples were anxious and fearful, He was at perfect rest, unmoved by the wind and the waves. He was living in untouchable peace and He did not leave this earth before He gave the same thing to us, as well.
Peace Is the Victory
The mere fact that the devil is constantly trying to steal your peace is a clear sign of how important it is to your living a victorious life. Think about it. If peace is not reigning in your life, neither is faith, and it is impossible to please God or receive from Him without faith.
So, next time you are tempted to let your stomach get tied up in knots over the bills, lose sleep over a job or fret over a relationship — STOP. Do not let the devil steal your victory by robbing you of your peace.
Join us as we celebrate Jesus — the Light of Peace this Christmas! Just think about that first Christmas night and the miracles that took place to bring Jesus into the world — in order to give us the kind of peace no man and no circumstance can ever give. Then, declare as the angels did, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14, ESV).
Watch Gloria Copeland and Billye Brim answer the question, “Does God promise peace on earth?”
Watch “Celebrating Jesus – The Light of Peace This Christmas”
Click here for Week 2 of our four-week Christmas reading plan
