The Military/Political Mess...The Miracle of Peace

Pastor Brad concluded this year's series "The Miracle in the Mess" with a message of hope and peace...a message that came to earth in the form of a tiny baby who was the Only Source for true Hope and Peace.  The politics of Jesus' day were not favorable to His coming...they were not receptive to His arrival...they would eventually put Jesus to death...and even more, they would put believers to death.  Roman rule was completely contrary to the coming of a King. 

Since the time of Joshua - when the Hebrews entered the Promised Land of Canaan - they'd been in captivity.  Their captivity was the result of disobedience when entering the Promised Land.  They had been instructed to destroy every living thing and they decided they knew better than God and that God must surely not have meant to destroy it all.  By allowing the enemy to remain, they would tie themselves to captivity...even till recent times.  And the battle for their homeland still remains a battle today.  Rome was in power (of the "whole" world) at the time of Jesus' birth.  The Jews were still "one nation under God", but they were also under the rule of Rome.  Rome kept peace through military force (Pax romana - Roman peace).  Rome tried to provide peace for its citizens, but it could not do so in the hearts of the people.  They had a form of outward peace...but no true peace.

The powerful nation of Rome, though, would cease to be recognized as a leader within two hundred years.  The fall of the Roman empire has been attributed to:  political corruption, economic problems, leaders more interested in personal gain than service to those they represented, introduction of disease and attacks from outside.  Rome was already in the beginning stages of falling apart...from the inside out.

In Luke 2:12-13 the angel announces that the gift of peace has come.  "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  But we live in a world that's not known for peace.  How much of our religious freedom depends on our government?  Whoever we vest with responsibility for our religious freedom is our God. 

The Kingdom of God is where we find our peace.  Isaiah 9: 2, 6 tells us: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

We are reminded in Isaiah 8:19:  "When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?"

It is in the Names of Jesus that we find answers for the political and economical mess that we face today.  There are 4 Unique Elements of godly government that bring peace.  God wants to be in charge of the government of the heart (internal government).

1.  Wonderful Counselor - government of peace - where we get our wisdom and information.  There is a counsel that comes from the spirit/heart of God.  We use the world's wisdom but want heavenly results.  There is no peace in falsehood - peace comes from truth.  Worldly news and methods fail us.

2.  Mighty God - this name is all about where power comes from.  We tend to use coercive power and manipulation to get what we want.  The power comes not from military might, but from resting in God.  (hmmmm...this one is really a thought-provoker).

3.  Everlasting Father - How would you approach time if you understood the concept of eternity?  There's no peace in fretting.  Peace comes from trusting.  (I have sooooo lived the truth of this statement).

4.  Prince of Peace - Who leads us?  Who do we follow?  In this world people tend to follow the flashiest, those who make the most promises, those who satisfy our "itching ears."  There is no peace from following corrupt leaders.  Peace comes from character-based leadership.  No matter what the world takes from us, it cannot take our peace.  (Holocaust survivors had peace in the midst of horrific political persecution because their faith rested in their God and nothing else).

(semon ends here...now my ramblings)

I highlighted the statement "We use the world's wisdom but want heavenly results."  When we face issues today, a lot of people turn to Oprah or Dr. Phil or any other "person" that shares their wisdom with the viewers...and we wonder why our problems continue.  Many of us don't even know how to use the Scriptures to find the answers to our issues.  We haven't taken time to hide God's Word in our hearts so it's available when we face dilemmas.  We live in a fallen world and we are in need of God's instruction to survive this place until we're with Him.  I'm committed in the New Year to memorizing one verse each week...if I can keep that up each year, in five years I'll have over 250 verses memorized!  It's a start to having His wisdom and protection and love grounded where it needs to be grounded.  I would challenge those reading this blog to make a commitment to reading His Word.  Even if you don't "understand" it, try memorizing it and watch how He uses it to reveal Himself to you!

Blessings as Christmas Day approaches.  I will ask again...have you been to the manger to welcome the new baby into your life?  If you have any questions about what you've read in these blogs, you can reach me at lauren.law57@yahoo.com.