A Hope Eternal - Advent DevotionalSample

I remember vividly back in the 1960s and 70s when it was popular to flash the two-fingered peace sign to friends—coopted from the “V” for victory sign popularized during the days of World War II. The 1960s and 70s were a quest for peace, freedom from war and oppression, and the betterment of the human condition. If only we could “give peace a chance.” We did. The problem is we did, but things don’t seem a lot more peaceful than they were back then. I would hazard to say the opposite is true. What did we get wrong? What is peace, and how can we have what the world wants so badly? Advent gives us a chance to not only know what peace really is but actually experience it.

The problem is the world does not understand what peace really is. Peace is not the absence of wars, conflict, or disputes. It is not having enough money, a great job, or a perfect marriage. Those things can produce good feelings for a time, but peace is a person. To experience true peace, you must have an encounter with that Person—Jesus Christ. The Scriptures say in Eph. 2:14, 15, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace …” Peace is a person, and his name is Jesus Christ. For that reason, he is called the “Prince of Peace”:

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

One fruit of the Holy Spirit is peace—it flows from the presence of God because it is who He is and, therefore, what He does. God—a person—is the only true source of peace. The saints of old proved that over and over again as they faced crucifixion, lions and torture, yet stood singing hymns and giving glory to God. This Advent season is a time to reconnect with peace, Himself. It is time to lay down to the pursuit of what the world calls peace and embrace the only true source of peace—the child spoke of in Isaiah: The Prince of Peace.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for this time to refocus. I lay down my pursuit of peace as the world does. And, in this tender moment, I embrace You as my peace. Come, Holy Spirit, and bring your peace. Come Prince of Peace and comfort my restless soul. Amen.

James T. Flynn, D.Min., is the associate dean of Instruction & Operations and associate professor of Practical Ministry for the Regent University School of Divinity.