Glory Part II
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor
rests.”
Luke 2:14 (NIV)
The peace that the angels declared is a peace that is not simply the absence of turmoil or anxiety, but the filling of our being and the earth with the awe and sense of the majesty of the our Lord and Savior. The angels were not the first to make the connection between glory and peace. When God is being glorified, His peace is not far behind.
“‘Bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and
far,” says the Lord, who heals them.”
Isaiah 57: 9 (NLT)
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for He speaks peace to His faithful people. ... Surely His salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled
with His glory.
Psalm 85:8–9 (NLT)
To put it simply, when God gets the glory, we get the peace. Not only this but there are many different kinds of peace we experience when we give God glory.
1) Peace in our circumstances.
When we recognize and experience the fullness of who God is, His love, His faithfulness, His power, His splendor, and more, we cannot help, but find peace in the knowledge that this is the God who is at work in our lives. We can experience peace in even the most challenging of circumstances because we know the wonder and might of He who is with us.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every
circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NASB)
2) Peace in our soul.
“Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who
created them.”
Isaiah 43:7
All that we are and all that we do was created to give Him glory. So when we give God glory, whether through praise or through doing what He has called us to do, our soul experiences the peace of accomplishing its purpose.
3) Peace with each other.
The angels were glorifying God because salvation had finally come to mankind. Because of Jesus, we would no longer be separated from God but reconciled to Him. This was so important because we cannot have peace with each other, without first having peace with God. When we are at peace with God, His love begins to fill our hearts and enables us to have compassion and forgiveness towards one another in ways that would otherwise be impossible.
This Christmas, let us give glory to God for sending us His son, His plan for salvation. Because of Him, we can experience peace in our lives, in our hearts, and with one another.
Photograph by Kenny Eliason @neobrand via Unsplash