Wednesday, December 29, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 40-42 and 2 Peter 2
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 40-42 and 2 Peter 2
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV); And he will be called… Prince of Peace.
To appreciate peace it is helpful to consider what happens when there is no peace. Of course war is the obvious opposite, though not necessarily applicable to the majority of us. Chaos, on the other hand, is much more relevant. Whether it’s in the environment around us or in the caverns of the heart, we all face moments, or even seasons of chaos.
Jesus came to give rest to the weary and peace to the troubled soul. As Isaiah declared, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (See Is. 9:2)What a promise! What a picture of refreshment and joy for those who were walking in a land of darkness!
This child was being born so that He may rise as the Prince of Peace. And “the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (See Is. 53:5.) On His dark night of the soul, as Jesus wrestled the devil in Gethsemane, He resolved to fulfill His call and endure the punishment of the cross that we may have lasting peace.
As subjects of the Kingdom of God, we also are bearers of peace. Even the footwear of our heavenly armour is secured that we might be the messengers of peace. In a season where so many experience loneliness in contrast to holiday cheer, we must lace up our shoes and proclaim the peace of Christ.
PRAYER and MEDIATION
1. Read the words of Isaiah 9:6 a few times over and spend some time soaking them up. “He is called the Prince of Peace.” Allow this to sink in. What does it mean to you today, right now?
2. Meditate on what this prophesy meant to the world at large. It was not spoken just for us as individuals, but the entire human race!
3. Where are you experiencing chaos right now? Ask the Lord for His peace today. Pray for peace as you continue through this Christmas season and enter the New Year.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit how you can share this news with someone today. Who needs to know that the Lord is the Prince of Peace and how can you communicate this to them? Be specific.
