Peace

David was a mighty warrior who conquered the enemies of Israel. He was a great king who led Israel into peace and security. So it is with Jesus, the Son of David. Born of human lineage, Jesus was fully man and fully God.

Hope is the spiritual anchor for the soul. Hopelessness leads to despair. Hope pushes us toward joy and peace. Biblical hope is not a wish or a desire expressed in a statement like, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” Hope in God produces certainty and confidence because it is based in the Person of God.

When God sent his Son into the world, he took away all the advantages and privileges of deity. Jesus came “not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Seven hundred years before his birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote this about Jesus:

Have you ever been tested? Severely tested? If you answered that question, “Yes,” you can relate to Abraham in today’s passage. And, even if you haven’t experienced it yet, you will also see in this passage that God is always at work, and he always provides.

I know it’s easy to say—Do not be anxious about anything…. You know the verse well. Some of you memorized it as a child. You know the verse is true. You have experienced God’s peace. But today is different.

They were minding their sheep and minding their business when the angel suddenly appeared. In an instant, the darkness of night turned to brilliant light. The angel, coming from the presence of God, brought with him God’s glory, and the place lit up! There was light in the darkness! No wonder the shepherds were terrified! Let’s read their story.

When an angel appears, you can bet that something amazing is going to happen! The amazing certainly took place when the angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would be having a son. For Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, that dream had died long ago. In fact, because of Zechariah’s unbelief, he was unable to speak a word until his son was born. Then, he broke out in a song of praise about the one who would prepare the way for Jesus.

“Be a light!” That’s what Beth Ann Schaeber said to her boys every day. Before she dropped them off at a friend’s house or their sporting event or when they walked out the door to go to school, “Be a light!” was the last thing they heard. They responded, “Shine bright!” Beth Ann knew that she was sending her kids into a dark world. She knew that they had been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light to reflect the light of Jesus. The apostle Paul gave us the same challenge.

Training and preparation produce confidence. An army moves assuredly when they have studied the enemy, understand the terrain, and are properly suited up. Battle readiness produces victory. To be battle ready we need the right gear. We have learned that the belt of truth allows us to move freely without stumbling. The breastplate of righteousness protects our heart and keep us on the right path. Today, let’s consider additional components of our battle gear—the shoes, the shield, and the helmet.