"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23
The prophet Isaiah referred to the coming Messiah by many titles, one of which was "Prince of Peace". As I've been reading about the wars that Ancient Israel fought to win the Promised Land, I have struggled with the idea that God encouraged and approved of these wars. I think about the loss of life, the mistreatment of women, the slavery of children... I think about the wars that our nation is currently involved in, the assassination attempts that end up killing only innocent civilians, the torture of war prisoners to gain inaccurate intelligence about our enemies over-seas.
When I think about all these things, I understand why the Israelites Isaiah spoke to were so hopeful that their future leader would be a Prince of Peace. It's especially heart-wrenching when you understand that the society of Israel at that time did not have a volunteer military like we do in the USA. Every man over 20 was considered a military reserve, and would be called upon during a time of war.
The peace which God brings through Jesus is a peace between God and mankind. It is a peace in the war of good and evil. It is a peace which was won when Jesus overthrew the evil one and ended our individual wars against sin. God made a treaty with the Devil, offering His own Son in exchange for all the rest of mankind... The treaty was written on Jesus's back by the cat-o'-nine-tails, and signed with the nails in His hands.
What the Devil didn't know was that Jesus was too powerful to be restrained in Hell. The Son of God rose again, flaunting His victory and sharing His peace with the whole world - not just God's chosen nation of Israel. He offers peace to all who call out to Him for it, so that we no longer have to battle against the sin in our flesh and in our hearts. He defeats it the same way He defeated Satan - by taking our sins to the fires of Hell and leaving them there to be consumed by fire until all that's left is righteousness!
Prayer of the Day:
Take my sin, Lord. Purge it from me until all that remains is righteousness. Purify me with fire until I become a mirror of Your Spirit. Finish the good work You started in my life so long ago. Amen.
When I think about all these things, I understand why the Israelites Isaiah spoke to were so hopeful that their future leader would be a Prince of Peace. It's especially heart-wrenching when you understand that the society of Israel at that time did not have a volunteer military like we do in the USA. Every man over 20 was considered a military reserve, and would be called upon during a time of war.
The peace which God brings through Jesus is a peace between God and mankind. It is a peace in the war of good and evil. It is a peace which was won when Jesus overthrew the evil one and ended our individual wars against sin. God made a treaty with the Devil, offering His own Son in exchange for all the rest of mankind... The treaty was written on Jesus's back by the cat-o'-nine-tails, and signed with the nails in His hands.
What the Devil didn't know was that Jesus was too powerful to be restrained in Hell. The Son of God rose again, flaunting His victory and sharing His peace with the whole world - not just God's chosen nation of Israel. He offers peace to all who call out to Him for it, so that we no longer have to battle against the sin in our flesh and in our hearts. He defeats it the same way He defeated Satan - by taking our sins to the fires of Hell and leaving them there to be consumed by fire until all that's left is righteousness!
Prayer of the Day:
Take my sin, Lord. Purge it from me until all that remains is righteousness. Purify me with fire until I become a mirror of Your Spirit. Finish the good work You started in my life so long ago. Amen.
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