thoughts for today Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14

Daily devotionsOut in space two alien forms are speaking with each other. The first spaceman says, “The dominant life forms on the earth planet have developed satellite-based weapons.” The second alien, who looks exactly like the first, asks, “Are they an emerging intelligence?” The first spaceman says, “I don’t think so…They have them aimed at themselves.”

Now that’s a cute little story, but one that ends with more truth than humor. As we approach that season of the year when people talk about peace on earth, we soberly note that there is anything but peace on earth. Civil and international wars and conflicts are being fought all over the globe and the threat of the unseen enemy of terrorism is ever present.

The root cause of it all is greed and sin, something God sent His Son to free us from, but before He came, when He came and ever since He came, people have rejected both Him and His Father. In 1 Samuel (10:19) we read “You have rejected God…and asked for a king“.

As long as people are looking for earthly power (a king) and not heavenly power (God), nothing will change. As we look around the world, people are aiming their weapons as one another and even shooing their own, all in the name of greed, power and international control.

As we enter this yuletide season amidst a fallen world of strife and conflict, we should be reminded about what Jesus said about peace.

In Matthew He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (5:9) and “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (11:28-30).

In John, He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (14:27) and “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33).

The prophet Isaiah said, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). It has yet to happen, but most assuredly it will. God said so.

When we read or watch the daily press it seems to be all focused on the strife war and threats of war in the world, but as we celebrate this coming remembrance of the birth of our Savior, may our focus be not on the world, but on the manger that held the true agent of peace on earth…… real peace …….. and eternal peace.

QUOTE FOR TODAY



The world defines peace as the sense of calm, tranquility, quietness, contentment, and well-being that comes when everything is going well. But that definition, frankly, is shallow. A calm, tranquil feeling can be produced by lies, self-deception, unexpected good fortune, the absence of conflict and trouble, biofeedback, drugs, alcohol, even a good night’s sleep. Such peace is fleeting and easily destroyed. It can be shattered by the arrival of conflict and trouble, as well as by failure, doubt, fear, bitterness, anger, pride, difficulty, guilt, regret, sorrow, anxiety over circumstances beyond one’s control, being disappointed or mislead by others, making bad decisions – in short, by any perceived threat to one’s security.


John MacArthur


PRAYER



We pray for lives lost
families torn apart
lost and lonely
homeless
hungry
afraid

We pray for factories
destroyed in an instant
for machinery
shattered
livelihoods
ruined

We pray for rescuers
finding survivors
alongside bodies
courageous
undaunted
hopeful

We pray for recovery
in the years to come
for restoration
generosity
healing
closure

IN JESUS NAME AMEN

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HEAVEN HELP US ALL