SCRIPTURE FOCUS
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
PRAYER FOCUS - Prince of Peace
Peace. The world values and longs for it. The Nobel Peace Prize was established in 1901 by Alfred Nobel to honor efforts by an individual or organization in promoting peace. Ironically, Nobel was born into a family that had made its fortune by manufacturing military weapons. There is some speculation that Nobel’s legacy may have been a result of his regret for his family’s contribution to war.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He has brought us peace in our relationship with God. Once we were God’s enemies, “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…” (Rom 5:9). He is our peace (Eph 2:14). When controversy and conflict swirl around us, we can hear Him whisper “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” (John 14:27).
The world’s definition of peace may only be “the absence of war or conflict.” However, the word peace used here in Isaiah is “Shalom.” A familiar Israeli greeting, it involves more than the absence of conflict but the presence of completeness and wholeness, with nothing missing or broken; it is not dependent upon our circumstances. This peace is God’s Presence in our lives.
RESPONSE
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Col 3:15). As the Prince of Peace, Jesus is the One who rules with peace. In what area of your life do you need to have peace come and rule? If there are places in your heart that have no peace, ask the LORD to come and bring His peace into those situations. One translation for this word “rule” could be “to be an umpire.” Therefore, we can let the peace of God act as an umpire in our lives, letting us know when we are safe or out of bounds. If peace is absent, let’s come to the Prince of Peace and hear His promise. “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Receive peace from the Prince of Peace.