Day 17 of “Peace on Earth”, an advent series on vinetobranches.com . . .

𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘥; 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘖𝘋, 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘦. (𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝟷𝟺:𝟷, 𝘕𝘒𝘑𝘝)

In this passage, the LORD JESUS is conveying the longing of His heart – that our hearts would not be troubled, that we would find rest believing in Him, that we would be at peace.

It is interesting to think about the connection between “belief” and “peace.” Especially in a season when we hear a lot of well-intended, festive greetings, warmly proclaiming, “let there be peace on earth” … “ if we just believe!” Our hearts hunger for 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦. We long for a true sense of 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦. But, we may not always pause to consider the focus of our 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘧.

What will give us the quiet confidence that transforms our hearts from “troubled” to “at rest”? That confidence can only come from the focus of our faith – in Christ alone!

The LORD JESUS is saying, if we believe in GOD, His Father, we will also believe in Him, the Son the Father sent to be our Savior. We will believe He is GOD in the flesh, EMMANUEL, GOD with us.

We will believe He came to complete the plan of redemption for us. We will believe that when He said, “It is FINISHED,” He finalized that plan of redemption and secured eternal life for us.

We will believe that we are safe, adopted into His family, cared for, known, and loved. We will believe, with confidence, that His words are true, that nothing can ever snatch us from the Father’s hand or threaten all He has secured on our behalf.

We can rest. No matter what jolts us today, the eternally significant matters of our hearts are secure – in our Savior!

How might the reality of these truths wash over you in fresh waves of 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 and 𝘫𝘰𝘺 and confident 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 today?