DEVOTION / He will be our peace

You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. …And he will be our peace (Micah 5:2, 5a)

Peace

Peace. How often did you sing about peace earlier this week? "Peace on earth and mercy mild." "Sleep in heavenly peace." "Peace to men on earth."

We sang about peace for good reason. Jesus' birth signals the peace that now exists between God and us. You remember how that peace was confirmed. After the Christmas angel announced the Savior's birth, an angel army shouted, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind” (Luke 2:14).

The Prince of Peace

The Prince of Peace had been born just as the Spirit promised through Micah. Born in Bethlehem. Born as a human, yet eternal God. Born to bring us all the peace of forgiveness for all sins and the everlasting peace of heaven. Born to rule over his Church, the spiritual Israel.

Micah promises Jesus is our peace. He is the one who would end the war between rebellious humans and their just creator-God. He is the one who would bring everlasting well-being, prosperity, and security to those who deserve terror, poverty, and harassment. His rule of peace would point us ahead to the perfect and pure peace that awaits in heaven, but it would also provide peace in this and every moment while we live here.

Live in his peace

So take a deep breath. Shrug of the stresses of the day, the holiday, the month, the year. The just God's heart is open to you. Your sins are forgiven. Heaven is your home. Jesus is your peace.