Years ago I wrote a mashup. Well, a Scripture mashup. I was feeling down one day and just sighed a prayer, “Lord, will you give me a song?” I started looking up Bible verses about peace and before I knew it, several verses fell into place and God gave me a melody to go with it. You can’t hear the melody, but here’s the lyrics:
Now may the Lord of Peace Himself
Give you peace in every way.
And, in every way,
And in every way,
May the Lord be with you all.
He is the Prince of Peace of whom the angels sang
When they said “Peace on earth to men on whom His favor rests!”
He said Peace I give you; My peace I leave with you.
Do not let your hearts be afraid.
(2 Thessalonians 3:16, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, John 14:2)
I am drawn to Jesus’ title, Prince of Peace. Why peace? Why not the Prince of Love? Or the Prince of Faithfulness? A prince is a ruler or monarch who has sovereignty. It is fascinating that Jesus has absolute authority over peace. It is his to share or give away. And that he did. And that he does.
Colossians 1:19-20
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Questions to Consider
What does it mean for you to have peace with God?
Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32) Where would you like Jesus to bring you peace or reconciliation today? Take time to ask him for that now.
Closing Reflection
Jesus, the owner of peace, shared it with us! He restored the estranged relationship between God and us. We sinned and turned away from God to live our own way. “And while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus mediated peace between us and God through his blood. We are sinners in need of forgiveness. Christ offers us that forgiveness and then makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The discord in my soul was gone when I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I now had a relationship with the benevolent Prince of Peace!
I remember calling my dad in college when I was totally stressed out during finals week and he taught me a simple prayer that aligned with my breathing: "Lord Jesus Christ, give me peace." I sat in a quiet place, closed my eyes and slowed my breathing. On the inhale I prayed, “Lord Jesus Christ,” and on the exhale I prayed, “give me peace.” I prayed that while I breathed for several minutes. And, Jesus who loves to be generous, shared peace with me! The stress wasn’t as prominent. I wasn’t consumed by thinking only of studying and exams. Jesus gave me peace in the midst of the circumstances. And there have been many, many times since then that I have prayed this prayer for peace.
As you prepare for Christmas, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
