Reveal Day 8 Sudden Peace

Read His Words Before Ours!
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 2:8-14

Reveal, Day 8
Quiet. Tranquil. Calm.
Pandemic.
Riots.
Murder Hornets.
Politics.
When I think of the word “peace,” I think of its absence in the past year.
For the first time in my life, I can actually say that pretty much the whole world understands what the person next door is going through.
Chaos has been the shared experience of 2020.
But chaos is not new;
the world has been in chaos since man’s first sin.
(Genesis 3:1-24)
Fear follows closely on the heels of chaos as we struggle to navigate this broken world in which we live. Fear of the unknown. Fear of disease. Fear of man.
Yet, the Bible urges us to live unafraid:
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; He will not leave you or abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
We do not need to fear the unknown, disease, or man.
God has already gone before us.
No amount of chaos surprises Him.
I know. It sounds impossible. During this chaos of Covid-19, I personally allowed the news and the opinions or dire predictions of others to spiral me into panic.
Is it safe to leave the house?
Should I start doing grocery pickup?
Should I order everything online and just have it brought to the house?
What about staying home?
Should I go to church?
Is it ok to see family?
What if I want to go to the park? Is that ok?
Will I die?
What if . . . ? What if . . . ? What if . . . ?
But God.
Peace.
Uttering simple words, “but God,” brought sudden peace to my heart, just as He promised in John 16:33.
“I have told you these things so that in me, you may have peace.
You will have suffering in this world.
Be courageous! I have overcome the world.”
The world wants peace.
The world wants no disease, no hate, no chaos, but true peace will never happen here.
Yet, in our hearts, we long for a kind of peace the world cannot give; it’s only found in God.
As we step into the Christmas season, we hear stories of Mary and Joseph and the night Jesus was born.
Was the world at peace?
No.
God was silent for hundreds of years. Israel was under Roman rule. The corrupt religious leaders oppressed the people. Israel awaited the promised Messiah, the One whom God said would bring peace. They were expecting a peace in the world, a peace of circumstance. No more chaos, disease, or corrupt leaders. They could not foresee or understand Jesus would bring peace with God, a peace transcending circumstance.
When Mary was approached by Gabriel, the world around her was full of chaos. The angel’s announcement certainly brought confusion, possibly threatening her one source of earthly stability, her engagement to Joseph and the secure future it promised.
But the angel said, “Do not be afraid.”
And in the midst of chaos, sudden peace.
Like Mary, Joseph lived in a world of chaos but was secure in their relationship. Until Mary told him the news she was expecting a baby. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Confusion. Hurt. Questions.
The law said, “Divorce her,”
but the angel said, “Do not be afraid.”
And in the midst of chaos, sudden peace.
The shepherds took refuge in a quiet, hillside night from the chaos of the city during census. Shepherds were lowly in society, the people no one cared about, yet they were the first to learn of Jesus’ birth! The angel’s proclamation sparks immediate fear (Luke 2:8-14),
but then he says, “Do not be afraid.”
And in the midst of chaos, sudden peace.
Each person in the Christmas story experienced fear.
Fear on the outside, fear on the inside.
They each felt the ache for peace.
Peace in the world and peace in their hearts.
“Do not be afraid.”
Peace.
When Jesus was born, the chaos of the world did not end. Yet each person in the story found peace. It was a peace inside, a peace in their hearts.
Desperation for peace in the world’s circumstances is an outward need, reflecting our desperate need for spiritual peace. In the midst of the chaos, we can still have peace inside if we search for the One who IS peace and GIVES peace. The same Jesus who calmed the storm on the waves by simply speaking, “Peace! Be still.” (Matthew 4:35-41) When we seek Him in chaos, He speaks, “Peace! Be still!” to the storm raging within us.
We may not see a physical change.
The diagnosis doesn’t change.
The people around us may not have a new attitude.
We change.
His peace, which passes all understanding, is inside us, calming our hearts.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
We hear God speak simple words, “Do not be afraid.”
And in the midst of chaos, sudden peace.
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