The Prince of Peace Reigns
Advent Week Four, Day Two
Isaiah 9:6-7

Focus: "… of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…"

It seems there has never been a shortage of talk about peace. Men both common and regal have expressed greatly divergent opinions on the matter. Consider the faulty logic of these quotes:

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time... -Niccolo Machiavelli

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. -Albert Einstein

Avoid popularity if you would have peace. -Abraham Lincoln

Peace is its own reward. -Mohandas Gandhi

With so many disparate ideas about peace, a seeker of peace might begin to think it forever elusive. Fortunately, God’s word offers authoritative insight on the matter.

When the Old Testament prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah, he named him the Prince of Peace, and he said “...of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end...” The people of Israel knew what it was like to live under the reign of a monarch. Their national story pointed both to godly leaders and to godless despots, so the idea of a reigning prince was nothing new. But a Prince of PEACE? Such an idea could send the imagination reeling!

As followers of Jesus, we live in the “increase” of this peace Isaiah talked about. The Prince of Peace has exempted us from struggling to earn God’s favor. He has banished the curse of sin and death. And when we face trials, he empowers us to know his peace in the midst of them.

Challenge: Every time you see or hear the word “peace” this Advent season, pause to remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.