CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED – PART 3 “The Gift of Peace”
JESUS’ LOVE – PEACE IN CHAOS
John 16:33, 33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Through John, Jesus promises that we can find peace in Him no matter what we are facing in our lives. It is important for believers to remember that the future is already decided, the battle has already been won. Jesus wins! What we face here is temporary, so we need to focus our sights on how Jesus has already overcome what we see to deliver us to our eternal future.
Isaiah 43:1-2, 1“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.”
Isaiah is given this message for Israel and for all believers; assurance that we belong to God we are HIS. He will be with us wherever we may go. We are called by Him. Three times God, through Isaiah, says “When” not “if.” Just as Jesus spoke through the gospel of John that we will have trials, we can count on that, but we can also stand on God’s promises to be with us in deep water, holding us up so we do not drown in the rivers of difficulty, and assuring us that even in the fire of oppression we will not be burned up – because God is right there with us, no matter what we face.
Romans 8:38-39, 38 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[p] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Paul shares his conviction with all believers that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love! This is a truth that we can stand upon every day – God’s love is always with us, no matter where we go, we cannot escape it!
GOD’S LOVE IS OURS TO REST IN, NO MATTER OUR CIRCUMSTANCES. IT MAY SEEM FOREIGN TO THINK THAT WE CAN EXPERIENCE PEACE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS, BUT GOD’S LOVE IS ABLE TO USHER IN THAT PEACE. IT IS INDESCRIBABLE, SOMETHING WHICH CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH WORDS, BUT ONLY EXPERIENCED.
John 14:27, 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
This gift of peace of mind and heart is something that as believers, we need to remember is ours for the taking. Jesus did not die to leave us in a place of chaos and confusion. He died to bring us this gift of peace that knows no boundaries and extends to every situation. It is up to each one of us to choose to cling to this peace, to call on the name of Jesus when we need Him and embrace this most precious gift each day.
1 Peter 5:7-9, 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[b] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Peter reminds us that we can give our worries and cares to God because He truly cares about His children and He is our source of peace, no matter our circumstances. We are also reminded by Peter that we must be alert because the devil is always trying to steer us away from the path God has for us. Rest in God’s love and the love of your believing community.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
God’s love was expressed to us through Jesus. This example is for us to learn from and to emulate. It is our love for others that sets us apart as His children.
Read 1 John 7-21.
What does this passage reveal about God’s love for us? What does it reveal about our love for one another?
Have you experienced the perfecting of your love as you grow in understanding of God’s love for you? Ask God today to help you develop an even deeper knowledge of how completely you are loved by Him and ask Him to help you grow in your capacities as you love others.
Read Psalm 46. What is the theme that carries throughout this Psalm?
What is God speaking to you? Pick out two verses to write out, memorize and post where you will see them this week that encourage you that God is your source of peace and a refuge we can count on in any storm.
Share these verses with your small group. Why did you select them? How do they help you grow in understanding of how God is your fortress, your safe place?
Find another passage in Scripture that carries a similar message.
Believers today, Jews and Gentiles alike, can be encouraged by the words of Isaiah, that God alone is God, His love is all encompassing, and we can trust Him. Read Isaiah 43:1-13.
As God’s chosen, we can trust that His love will meet us at every turn. What are some aspects of God’s love that we can identify in this passage?
Are you walking in the freedom from chaos and worry that this love offers? Why or why not?
Read Isaiah 43:1-13 in a different translation. Take time to write out a prayer to God to ask Him to help you comprehend this love He has for you better. Over this next week intentionally look for Him to provide that peace in the chaos of this busy season. Spend 10 minutes each day intentionally asking Him to fill you with His peace, to change how you handle chaos as you rest in His love.
