For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7a [NIV]
The above passage from Isaiah has become very memorable as a Christmas reading and also is perhaps one of the best known choruses from Handel’s “Messiah”. Looking at the prophecy of the birth of Jesus from Isaiah, we may sometimes forget that these words were written around 700 years before the birth of Christ. One of the names of Jesus foretold by Isaiah was “prince of peace”.
Are we surprised that there seems to be so little peace in the world – and so much war? The type of peace which Jesus brought to the world is not the peace of nations, it is an inner peace – a peace in the heart, when we are in union with and not in rebellion against the will of God.
Jesus said:
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid. John 14: 27 [CEV]
The conflict that exists in the world boils down to the lack of inner peace in the hearts of the majority of people in the world.
Can we be peacemakers? If we can receive the peace that Jesus gives, we can be in co-operation with the will of God. This does not mean there will not be conflict at times – but how often is conflict the result of pride, anger, greed or earthly desires? If we have inner peace, we will not try to manipulate our surroundings to our own advantage.
Spend a few minutes asking God for the inner peace that the world cannot give you today.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 [NIV]
