On Sunday, we lit the candle of peace. We began Advent by discussing HOPE. How the world needs hope. Too many are filled with despair. Thankfully we serve the God of hope (Romans 15:13). The second week of Advent dealt with JOY. At Christmas we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” Our happiness comes from Him! It must since everything else is changing. Then, a few days ago, we began focusing on PEACE.
This year has been filled with stress, anxiety, worry, etc. Anything but peace! The 3 P’s of 2020 were Protests, Pandemic and Politics. That is a remedy for division. And it has been difficult to demonstrate tranquility. Now that Christmas is upon us, it is not easy to remain calm.
Soooo, let me remind you of the good news. God has already provided a way for His children to live in security. Notice John 14:26 – 27:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 (NKJV)
Jesus was teaching His disciples that even though He was leaving, He would not leave them as orphans. Jesus would send a replacement, His equal, the Comforter, the Helper. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our Guide, to be our Help, to be our Peace!
The world we live in offers peace, as well. Its plan for peace comes through temporal pleasure, alcohol, success, drugs, bad habits and the like. And they may seem to help for a time. But God wants us to experience peace even when it doesn’t make sense. In the great hymn we sing, “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.”
So, how is your soul, today? Is it like a rolling brook, a flowing stream, a gentle wave in the ocean? Through the calming aspect of peaceful water, God reminds us that He is our Peace. (Ephesians 2:14) Advent is a time that we as God to come to us. To dwell with us so we can sense His presence in our everyday lives. Ask the Holy Spirit for His peace today.
Pastor Wilcox
