Unswerving Hope, Unfailing Love: Advent DevotionalSample

Day 2: A Princedom Of Peace

Mary and Joseph carried Jesus, the long-promised Messiah. But the one who had been called Prince of Peace was now part of a story that did not inspire much peace. A massacre of children was the news in the city and a death threat to their child.

However, all throughout the story, Mary and Joseph were able to keep peace between themselves and with God. They did not give themselves into despair, fear, or unbelief—feelings that are valid in situations like this. In contrast, Joseph and Mary's story is marked by complete peace and obedience.

The Angel spoke: "Do not fear"— so Joseph, didn't fear.

The Angel spoke: "You should name him Jesus"; so, Joseph named the baby Jesus.

The Angel spoke: "Take the child here"; so, Joseph took the child there.

Joseph was a righteous man indeed. In the middle of chaos, Joseph trusted the words of the Angel and the baby promise that he was holding right in his hands. That same peace that Joseph and Mary carried, in the middle of what had raised around them, is available for every believer today.

This princedom of peace is above any other authority or power that comes against it. Nothing can rob you of that peace if you also have Jesus.

Know today that whatever rises around you—or against you— might be as threatening and scary as Herod's murdering power over the streets of Bethlehem, but even that could not take the peace out of Joseph and Mary's minds and hearts. And nothing can also take peace out of yours.

Peace allowed Joseph not to panic, not to paralyze or abort the mission he was destined for. He escaped Herod's plan into a safer zone until the mission could be completed. It was all because of peace and the peace of Jesus can reign over you whenever the task feels heavy for you too.