Grateful for PEACE (Dec. 8, 2024)

INTRODUCTION

Isaiah 9:1–7 ESV

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 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. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

1) God Gives Perfect Peace!

Isaiah 26:1–4 ESV

1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. 2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Not a waivering peace.

Not a circumstantial peace.

Not an arbitrary peace based on shifting emotions or preferences.

A perfect peace that comes when our mind is stayed on God when we trust Him.

No matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can have peace.

This is why He is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6)

2) God Gives Transforming Peace!

Isaiah 32:14–18 ESV

14 For the palace is forsaken, the populous city deserted; the hill and the watchtower will become dens forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks; 15 until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. 16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. 17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. 18 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

Peace of God transforms our hearts and our minds.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

His peace protects us from worldly and godless thoughts when we fixate our minds on Him and the peace we find in Him.

Peace of God transforms our actions and responses.

Peace of God transforms where we find ourselves at home.

No more thriving on drama or being drama junkies…we now long for and abide in peace.

3) God Gives Lasting Peace!

Isaiah 54:9–10 ESV

9 “This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Just as God gave His Promise to never destroy the entirety of the earth by flooding, so He affirms to us that His covenant of peace shall not be removed.

His covenant of peace came through Jesus!

Jesus is the bearer of our peace.

We have peace through Him, because He took our sin and our shame and became our propitiation, that which satisfies a righteous judgment.

God gives us peace, not through our own works of merit, but through His compassion.

CLOSING

I am grateful for the peace that God gives us through Jesus.

I am grateful that we who live in sin and darkness have seen a great light and to us has been given the Prince of Peace.

I am grateful that His peace is a perfect peace, a transforming peace, and a lasting peace.

I am grateful that angels, when appearing to the shepherds on that first Christmas night proclaimed, in Luke 2:10–14 “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

I am grateful for peace…are you? If you are, are you fixing your eyes on Him?