Corona Devo 283

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  ~Luke 2:13-14

...and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.  ~Luke 2:14

How does God know the very thing we are seeking so desperately in this Season, these days, these lists, these purchases, this cooking, this wrapping, this entertaining......HIS PEACE!

It is such an odd cycle in December: the to-do list continues to grow, while at the same time our spiritual desire for stillness (in Christ) swells.  We want to do all of these "good" things in physical preparations for Christmas, but if we do them on our own, or in our own strength and of our own will, then peace eludes us.  Frazzle finds us and distraction dissipates the greater-good of God during the Christmas season.  

Unless....

...and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.  ~Luke 2:14

Unless we let His favor rest on us.  

Please do not get mixed-up or confused about "whom" God wants to rest His favor upon.  It is You.  It is us.  We self-deprecate and sometimes believe that God's grace and peace is for other people.  Good people.  Worthy people.  Spiritual people.  God's chosen people.  

We are all of those things to God.  That's us!  

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (5) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  ~Ephesians 1:4-5

Now that we have that matter settled, let's come back to the peace that God promises.

On the very night that Jesus was born, angels first proclaimed Glory to God, and their very next proclamation was peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14)

We are "those", friend!  God's favor rests on us.  The catch is...we must still our hearts, minds and bodies long enough to sense it.  To feel it.  To be blessed by it.  Peace does not come in the hurry.  Peace does not come in the bustle, and contrary to my Type-A personality, I have to admit that I do not gain true-peace in the checking-off of items on my to-do list.  This is satisfying, but it is not peace-giving.

If not in accomplishment or schedule, where-then does God's peace rest on us?

That answer is as varied and unique as the individuals that God made us to be.  His peace will fall differently on each of our shoulders, because although we are made in His image, we are also all different.  God's peace will find us, however...if we allow.

Try:

Reading a story to your kids (at any age).

Giving a (real) hug.

Actively listening-to and engaging-with someone you love.

Time alone with God.  In His Word, In Prayer, or just in the quiet with Him.  

Reviewing your day/week/year/life and the blessings God has given you over that time.

Acting on the still-small voice in your heart that is nudging you to do something. Do that something.

Blessing someone (other than yourself) in any way.

Adequate rest, water and nutrition.

These are some methods of peace that I am aware of.  Yours may relate or be completely different, just as you and I relate, but are completely different.  But God's peace permeates because his favor rests on us.  

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  ~Luke 2:13-14

He has already promised us His peace.  It is simply up to us to seek it.

Lord, slow us down and draw us back from the hustle and into your bosom.  Let us be stilled by your embrace, and relax in your Word, hymns, and Your Spirit of this Season.  

Whether we are enjoying a snowfall or a beach sunset: meet us and we claim Your peace because Your Word tells us that Your favor rests on us.  

Whether alone or with many: meet us and we claim Your peace because Your Word tells us that Your favor rests on us. 

Whether we wish-for-more, or feel steeped with bounty: meet us and we claim Your peace because Your Word tells us that Your favor rests on us.  

Whether we are exhausted by life or lonely in the silence: meet us and we claim Your peace because Your Word tells us that Your favor rests on us.  

Lord, we thank you for resting your favor on us, and we praise you for Your peace over our attitudes, minds, days and lives.  Amen.

His peace will fall differently on each of our shoulders, because although we are made in His image, we are also all different.  God's peace will find us, however...if we allow.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/