THE PRINCE OF PEACE
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”–Isaiah 9:6–7
According to the latest report I’ve seen, there are about sixty wars, armed conflicts, revolutions, and skirmishes taking place in our world right now. In Syria alone, the civil war that has raged for six years now has left almost half a million people dead and more than two million others have fled their homes to try to avoid the fighting. We live in a world filled with strife and conflict. But this is not new. Division has been a part of human life since sin entered into the world.
The bottom line of human conflict is not resources, borders, tribes, languages, or glory, but sin. Indeed apart from God we have no expectation of anything but warfare and division. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). No matter how diligently we work or how devoutly we wish, the sinful nature lurking in the hearts of mankind constantly works against peace.
But in the person of Jesus, we are offered the solution to every conflict. He is the only ruler who offers hope for a lasting peace, and peace is His promise to those who are His children by virtue of receiving His salvation. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Our only hope for peace with God, with ourselves, and with others is found in Jesus Christ. (Daily in the Word)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
