Peace from Punishment
Advent Week Four, Day Five
Isaiah 53:1-6

Focus: “… upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace…”

As we begin today’s devotional, consider these questions:
How often do you express gratitude for God’s peace in your life?
Do you experience His peace often, or is your life in a constant state of flux?

• Financial struggle
• Marital difficulty
• Wandering children or siblings
• Relationship conflicts
• Strife, hardship, struggle

We have promises from God’s word that tell us his peace is readily available. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (ESV) While such thoughts might seem better suited to an Easter devotional than an Advent reading, the fact is that no celebration of peace is complete without knowing the cost that was paid for it.

Our transgressions brought pain to our Savior. Jesus was crushed for our iniquities, our sin. And the punishment that was suffered for us brings us…peace. A peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-8).

Let’s use this Advent season as a chance to live each day with a strong awareness not only of the peace God brings us personally, but also of the peace he offers to those around us who are not experiencing it for whatever reason. Finally, let us be amazed at the peace he brings and express our appropriate gratitude.