Arrival Devotions Week 2 (With Scripture)
Monday, December 9, 2024, Read Isaiah 11:6-9 - “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.”
Isaiah paints an improbable picture of peace to describe God’s Kingdom. Natural enemies on this side of eternity will one day live in harmony with each other. This is the promise of peace that we hold onto as we celebrate Jesus’ arrival as a baby in a manger and anticipate His second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords. May the picture of God’s peace fill your heart and mind with possibility this Christmas!
Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Read Luke 2:13-14 -“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
The promise of peace on earth continues to resonate in the hearts of believers, especially at Christmas. We long for the day when wars will cease, divisions are healed, and relationships are restored. The hate and hostility that surround us makes the promise of God’s peace even more powerful. As believers, we must once again welcome the Prince of Peace into our personal space and choose to “live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). Indeed, “let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!”
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Read Romans 5:1-2 – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
The greatest gift of Christmas is the peace we can have with God. Being fully God and fully man, Jesus lived a sinless life and willingly surrendered Himself as a sacrifice for our sin. Through Him we are reconciled to God. But like any gift, it cannot be earned. It must be received by grace through faith. When we invite Jesus into our hearts and ask Him to forgive our sins, we too can have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Thursday, December 12, 2024, Read Hebrews 12:14 - “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Not only did Jesus come to reconcile us to God, but He also came to reconcile us to one another. Peace is a fruit of God’s Spirit and when we “make every effort to live in peace with everyone” we show the world that we are the children of God (see Matthew 5:9). What steps are you taking this Christmas to “live at peace with everyone?” Who do you need to forgive? From whom do you need to ask forgiveness? Peace requires effort, so “make every effort to do what leads to peace” (Romans 14:19).
Friday, December 13, 2024, Read Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus is our peace. Once we come to realize that peace comes packaged in the person of Jesus Christ and enter a faith relationship with Him, we will begin to experience the kind of peace that not only transcends understanding but overcomes the world. Jesus tells us plainly that “in this world you will have trouble.” But then he says, “do not let your hearts be troubled.” The “trouble” of the world doesn’t have to “trouble” us when we put our confidence in Jesus Christ
