Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:13-14 (NET)
Over two thousand years ago, the angel army sang. But many of us today, are still wondering what happened to the peace. Sure, we understand the great joy that came to all people, but when we look around at the state of things in our lives, in our families, in our country, and in the world, we just don’t see it. We don’t see the peace that was proclaimed in Bethlehem on the most memorable, most world-changing night in the history of history itself.
So where is this peace? This verse make us believe that we must not be pleasing the Lord, or maybe we aren’t “His people” after all. When we look around there seems to be nothing but conflict: disagreements, misunderstandings, all-out wars, and a whole lot of us vs. them, but not many signs of the peace that was promised. The truth is that we don’t see that peace in our world, because God’s peace isn’t out THERE. The only peace worthy of an entire army of angels lives in the hearts of those who love Jesus. His peace assures us that we are okay because He is in control. His peace comes when we focus on the blessings around us, instead of the fears and conflicts inside us (Philippians 4:8). His peace settles our hearts when we love others big, even when their lives are very different from our own. If we want the peace that is promised, we must live like Jesus lived, love like Jesus loves, serve like Jesus served, and PRAY like Jesus prayed!
God’s peace will come to your heart when you put your faith in His promises (Romans 15:13) rather than in your own abilities or in anything else this side of heaven. When you live, love, serve, and pray like Jesus and trust Him, God is glorified. And when God is glorified, if you get quiet and listen real close, you can hear the angels sing! You are loved!
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9