WEEK FOUR – PEACE
“The fourth candle represents peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace – He came to bring people close to God and to each other again.” (Crosswalk.com)
December 18 – Psalm 4
Peace. What pictures appear in your head when you think of peace? Do you see soldiers laying their guns down and hugging? Do you see a still lake with mountains rimming it on all sides? One of my favorite images of peace is based on a painting I heard described, years ago. It’s a picture of a stormy day, dark clouds roiling, rain pouring down, over a cascading waterfall in the mountains. Everything is absolutely not peaceful when you first look. Water and sky look dark and angry and full of chaos and movement. But look deeper into the painting, and you will see a nest behind the waterfall in a cleft of the rock, where a mother bird is guarding her babies and … singing, quiet and contentedly, tucked in safe and sound with her babies despite the storm that is raging around her.
On the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus spoke about peace with His disciples. Although He was about to endure the worst of torments, His heart was for these twelve men He loved so dearly. He knew they were heading into a storm. He knew that even after His resurrection, they would face many troubles and eventual martyrdom or, in John’s case, a banishment to an island. Hear His words about peace as we enter in to this last week of advent and ponder them with me:
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT). Despite the storms, says Jesus, I’ll give you peace. No need to be afraid.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Where does our peace come from? Certainly not from our messy, confused world in which we live. Nope. It comes from peace in Him.
He never leaves us. He always cares for us. The only things that touch us are those He allows for purposes beyond our understanding. We will never not be loved. Our deaths will be the last hard thing before the entrance into a kingdom of light and love. Nothing and no one can ultimately snatch us out of His strong hands. We are His. Be at peace, friends.
Our psalm this morning is written by a person in turmoil. As David writes, though, and remembers who God is, his heart calms and his soul rejoices. And then? He goes to sleep quite contentedly. At peace because He has settled in his heart that God is, indeed, in control. And God is good.
My verse: Psalm 4:4 “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.”
My response: Lord, when anger swells inside me, it’s so hard to control it and to wait for it to subside before I respond. Give me the spiritual fruit of self-control, so that I answer conflict peacefully – sure of what’s right but absent of rage and malice. Help me to remember to control anger and not allow it to control me. Only by Your help, Lord!
5 Minute Selah Moment – Go a little crazy. Lie down on the floor (grab a pillow for your head) and look up into the lights on your Christmas tree. If you are tired, stay there and take a nap! (Feel free to find a more comfortable napping spot.)
