Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men
This morning, sunshine
streamed through my windows. Compelled to see this first-hand and soak up some much-needed
vitamin D, I rushed out the back door without my coat. The brightness in the
sky made me think of warmth. But frigid air jolted my senses. Everything within
view was covered with snow or white frost.
Standing on my
back stoop, I gazed toward the sun. Its early morning brilliance, hindered by
the frosty sky, appeared to be shining through a translucent disk. Light hit
the trees casting shadows and creating beautiful contrasts to darkness. I took
a moment to pray, thanking God for His creation—that He quickly confirmed was
passing away.[1]
I lasted about
a minute outside and then scooted back in. Checking my phone for the outdoor
temperature shocked me. TEN degrees! Brrr!
I thank God for
the cold because I know it kills many germs that would seek to harm us come spring.
Still, peering out my window and seeing that beautiful sun fooled me into
thinking it was much warmer than it was—warmer than the date on my calendar suggested.
Suddenly, the Lord impressed upon my heart: physical eyes are easily deceived. What we see
isn’t always spiritual truth.
TRUTH is God’s
Holy Word—Jesus Christ the Living Word.
I understood. Some
seeing with physical eyes may view our nation’s current situation as warm and inviting
like I did the sunshine. But right now, the spiritual reality is the exact
opposite. All things will happen according to God’s plan. Only He knows the end
from the beginning and how long we have until Jesus returns for His church. But
Jesus did say, when these things begin to happen, we should look up and lift our
heads because our redemption draws near.[2]
As frigid temps
gripped me this morning, so did the thought of how many hearts grow cold toward
our God. The falling away has commenced and is rapidly increasing.[3]
HATE is strong
in our nation, just as Longfellow wrote on Christmas Day 1863 after he had endured
personal tragedies and when the American Civil War was in full swing. Yet he ended
each stanza with a portion of Luke 2:14, “…peace
on earth, good will to men.”
Commentaries and
other translations imply the KJV scholars mistranslated this verse. They say the
PEACE offered by the angels was only
for those upon whom God’s favor rests. While I know the PEACE of God that surpasses understanding[4] may be conditional, their
interpretation of Luke 2:14 flies in the face—defies—what I know of my great
God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Through
Scripture, we learn our Almighty Triune God loves His creation,[5] and SIN grieves Him.[6] “Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace, goodwill
toward men” was given to a dark world in the fullness of time.[7] God’s holy angels announced
the birth of the One who would bring in everlasting peace.
Through Him, through His physical, human birth, giving God, who is Spirit, the
ability to die as our substitute, PEACE
was offered to EVERY man, but is only imparted to those who
believe and receive Him.
Wondering why I’m
referencing a Christmas verse when we are over a month past Christmas? Well, with
the current state of our Union, PEACE
is shattered. Chaos ensues. And it feels as though another civil war is raging.
Father God, the
signs are here. Your great wrath upon SIN is fast approaching.[8] We live in a dark world desperate
for Your PEACE. Help us to love our
enemy, pray for their salvation, and to be Your beacon of light as long as we
can. Move us, O Lord, to seek first the kingdom of God and Your righteousness,
for You are our strength.[9] Grant us good cheer[10] as we navigate our troubled
times—this prelude to the 7-year tribulation—coming upon the whole earth.[11] Lord Jesus, provide Your
comfort and PEACE—as You promised,
saying, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives
do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
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