Day #353 - Peace on Earth
The Presence - A Devotional for living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
”And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.“ Luke 2:8-14 KJV
Have you ever been minding your own business and all of a sudden something incredible happens that you weren’t expecting?
I remember one day I was sitting at home in the days before I had a cell phone and a friend called me. He was at a local music store and he said I had to get there right away because a world famous drummer was there giving a clinic. I decided to spontaneously leave the house and I was so glad that I did. This drummer put on a clinic all right. As a musician I had never seen such artistry. I was blown away by the talent and music. I almost missed out on something great, but sometimes the greatest things that happen aren’t planned.
When Jesus was born there was a group of shepherds nearby in a field and an angel appeared to them along with the glory of the Lord. When “the Presence” came upon them, they were afraid and the angel had to tell them to “fear not.” Sometimes people are so casual and even flippant as they share about their encounters with angels and God’s presence, but in the Bible people are usually afraid and told to fear not because of the greatness of God’s glory.
These shepherds were minding their own business. They didn’t know they were going to be interrupted in their regular life with the greatest opportunity anyone could ask for in history, to see Jesus as a newborn baby. The angel announced that he brought great news of great joy. The angel said their was a sign that they would find Jesus lying in a manger. Greater than the sign of the angels was a sign of the baby, “the Presence” had come in the Person of Christ. God was here to save the day. Of course this sign was accompanied by the sign of the angel and then a great company of angels also started singing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Is there a greater praise than declaring “Glory to God in the highest?” Oh, He deserves the highest praise that He would send His Son for us to be born as us. And this meant that there was now peace on the earth. “The Presence” of Jesus means peace on the earth and goodwill or favor for humanity. Our greatest need is peace. Jesus brings us into peace with God and makes us to live in peace with one another. His peace is stronger than war and hatred. When He is here and near all that causes chaos, violence, division and war is defeated by His peace. When He returns His peace will triumph over all other enemies and will last forever. He has come and He will come again and there will be peace on the earth forever. Come Lord.
Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, I worship You! Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Let me walk in holy fear that I might reverence Your name. Let me walk in great joy for the great news that Christ has come and will come again. Let me enter in the praise of angels. I love You my Lord. In Your name, amen.
The Prince of Peace has come. He is among us. He is with us. HE IS IN US!!!
Thank you Lord! 🙏🏻♥️
YES, YES, YES, and AMEN!!!!! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! PEACE ON EARTH, GOODWILL TO MEN! Thank you, most glorious and holy God for the wonderful gift of Immanuel, God with us, in the flesh, our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord!