Daily Word of Grace # 228 (April 27, 2021)
Have you ever noticed that the very presence of one person can alter the mood of a whole group? When that person enters the room everyone knows it. You either feel the collective blood pressure and anxiety in the room rise—or you feel a sense of relief as that collective blood pressure decreases. The presence of God’s love always results in the latter. In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus put it this way: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). I can’t speak for you, but personally I love being around peacemakers. As the Son of God Jesus is not only a child of God but also the Prince of Peace who, as the Paul wrote, “proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:17). And even at this moment Jesus remains your Prince of Peace to whom you can turn in the midst of the unsettled and anxious places in your life, for as Paul also wrote, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Love and Prayers,
Dave