Devotion 4: Peace and Order

Pastor Roy Townsend

Have you ever stopped to wonder why the Christmas holiday is trademarked by the saying, “Peace on Earth”? While I know this is a quote from Luke 2:14 that reads, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”However, when I think of the Christmas holiday, I think of almost anything else. Peace and order are not high on my list of this holiday’s attributes.

In Isaiah 9:7, we read, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” This verse is also tied to a popular Christmas passage, and it is prophesying and describing the peace and order that will be a hallmark of Christ’s Kingdom.

In 1 Corinthians 14:33, we read, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.”Commentator Wayne Grudem writes, “Paul says, ‘God is not a God of confusion but of peace.’ Although ‘peace’ and ‘order’ have not traditionally been classified as attributes of God, Paul here indicates another quality that we could think of as a distinct attribute of God.” However, it would do us good to remember that these verses speak of “peace among those with whom he is pleased”because we all know many people who seem to have no peace. Even if we would like to think that people can have peace at Christmastime, I see a lot of heartache, trouble, confusion, and selfishness. We may need to remember that in Isaiah 48:22 God reveals, “‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked.’”

If the world, or we, continue to walk in wickedness, we will have no peace. As Jesus was leaving His disciples, He revealed something in John 14:25-29, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” For those who have accepted Christ’s plan of salvation, He left us the “Helper, the Holy Spirit,” who will comfort, guide, direct, and allow us to embrace the peace of God this Christmastime. Remember that Christ said, “My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” From there He reminds us to “let not your hearts be troubled,” because that is really what celebrating Christmas is all about. It is a recognition of God’s plan to redeem the world by sending His Son to be our sacrifice so that we may be at peace with God.