[The Words of Advent] PEACESýnishorn
Peace Fulfilled
One of Jesus’ many purposes is to bring peace and make it permanent. He is building a structure on which peace can rest. Established on David’s throne, Jesus will bring a government that has peace at its heart.
The Davidic covenant can be summarized as “a forever King, on a forever throne, establishing a forever kingdom.” Jesus will establish this kingdom with judgment and justice to bring about righteousness. This kingdom has begun spiritually. It is here, butnotfully realized. His rule and peace dwell in our hearts, but not on Earth. We are waiting for the kingdom in every sphere.
The peace brought about by Jesus’ reign will increase and will have no end; it will last forever. Do you want to be part of forever? Align yourself with Immanuel, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
The zeal of the Lord, His passionate nature, will perform this for you and me. He released us from oppression and brought us peace. So how should we respond?
The first witnesses to the birth of Christ give us the keys we need.
InLuke 2, after the angels had gone away, the shepherds said to one another: “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that which the Lord has made known to us.” The first thing they did–they pursued Him. They went to find Him; they sought Him out; they went to see who He was: they pursued the Lord. How will we pursue the Lord this Christmas? Is He worthy of being pursued? Has He pursued me?
Then, when the shepherds had seen Him, they made widely known what the angels told them concerning Him –they proclaimed Him.This Christmas, how will you and I proclaim him? How will we make widely known to our friends, neighbors, relatives, and the world that the Christ has come, and that He is in our midst?
Finally, the shepherds returned, glorifying, and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen –they praised Him.The Prince of Peace has come. This Christmas, how will we praise Him?
What’s in a name? Everything—if that name is Jesus, the Savior, our Lord. Jesus is worthy to be pursued, worthy to be proclaimed, and worthy of all praise!
Father, thank You for Your love for us. You have completely shaken our world by sending us Your Son, the Prince of Peace. Help us pursue Him, proclaim Him, and praise Him all the days of our lives, especially this Christmas!
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About this Plan
If you haven't guessed it yet, in this final Advent devotional plan, Dr. Mark Rae will take us through the fourth traditional word associated with Advent: PEACE. The word translated as peace in the Old Testament is the Hebrew word shalom, which means "everything as it should be." Jesus came to line up everything the way God meant it to be – Jesus is our shalom.
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