Scripture: Luke 1:46-56
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior’ (Luke 1: 46-47). Mary could have been highly stressed at the angel’s words, but she did not question or bargain with the Lord. Mary praised the Lord. She was blessed with an unfathomable peace in this stressful situation.
God-given peace comes from faith in the Lord and His sovereignty. At Christmas there is joy and praise, but sometimes there is also sorrow and confusion. We can have God-given peace that comes from faith in the Lord and his sovereignty. The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Meditate on these verses when stress comes. “Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you” (John 14:27) or “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts (Col. 3;15).
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but God in the conflict. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Real peace can only come from him. Do not worry. Let God lead the way. In Him we are at peace, and He is with us everywhere we go. “His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah:9:6).
In the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul, Horatio G. Spafford wrote these words in 1873:
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well. It is well with my soul
It is well. It is well with my soul
It is well. It is well with my soul
May peace be with all of you this Christmas season.
Rebecca and Warren Jones are faithful members of Yates in the Open Door Class.