WONDER

PART 3: “FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM”

On this wonderful Christmas morning the words of the angels singing ring in our ears – with hope – and that a sure and certain hope and not a vain and futile wish:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests”

(Luke 2: 14)

1. PEACE

On this Christmas Day a people full of fear because of the Pandemic – fear of catching the virus, fear of their loved ones coming down with the illness, fear of dying – are crying out for Peace. And on this day this peace is offered by a loving God who came down from heaven to earth to tell us to “Fear not because I am with you and I will give you life forever more in Paradise”. He came to bring us peace of heart.

On this Christmas Day a people full of self-centredness are crying out “I want…I want…I want”. They have no peace. They want to be first, they want to be in control, they want to rule their own lives and the lives of others. They have no peace because they cannot win. And on this day peace with man is offered by a loving God who came down from heaven to earth to tell us “surrender your hearts, minds and souls to me and I will give you a peace within that the world cannot give you”. He came to bring us peace with God.

On this Christmas Day a people with no peace in their hearts are crying out “I don’t know what I am doing with my life. I feel no good. I feel a failure. I feel lost and alone. I feel that there is no point to my life”. They have no peace. And on this day peace in our lives is offered by a loving God who came down from heaven to earth to tell us “I love you and I know the plans that I have for you – plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You are my beloved child”. He came to bring us peace in our hearts.

2. TRUST

And, because of Jesus we can be filled with joy and peace this Christmas time when we put our trust in Him.

Trust is the action that comes out of faith and belief. It is BECAUSE I believe in His promises, it is BECAUSE that I have faith in Him, that I therefore CHOOSE to put my TRUST in Him.

And trust speaks of leaning into Him when I am sometimes so overwhelmed that I can’t even think about faith and belief any more. I can’t think straight. I can’t deal with what is going on. But, I WILL simply TRUST in Him to look after me and to fulfil all His promises for me.

Trust is a decision and not a feeling.

It is trust that we are called to exercise today as we look to the God of Hope to fill us with all joy and peace.

So, may we all have a very happy Christmas!

UCBs “Word for Today” puts it like this:

Give your worries to God

22 DECEMBER 2020

‘Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?’

Matthew 6:27 NLT

Worry changes nothing except you – and not for the better. It won’t pay your bills, solve your family problems, or give you a good night’s sleep. You don’t add one day to your life, or one bit of life to your day by worrying. But you can age prematurely and die before your time. Read these two Scriptures carefully: ‘Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever’ (Psalm 125:1 NIV). ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you’ (Isaiah 26:3 NIV). Notice that the same word in both Scriptures is ‘trust’. Worry simply reveals our lack of trust in God! So who are we trusting in? Ourselves! And only when that no longer works, are we willing to hand God the problem. Can you imagine asking Michelangelo, ‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing with that chunk of marble?’ God knows what He’s doing, and when you trust Him, ‘His peace will guard your hearts and minds’ (Philippians 4:7 NLT). Paul is using a military metaphor here. The Philippians lived under Roman occupation, which was bad. But they knew that the sentries also guarded their town, which was good. They knew that before an enemy could get to them, it first had to get past the guards. And because you’re ‘in Christ’, Satan has to go through Him to get to you. Are you getting the picture? Nothing – absolutely nothing – can get to you without first coming through Him! Once you accept that, God’s peace will fill your heart.