The Most Important JourneySample

Day 12

by David Howard

Pastor, Conway Campus

Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Isaiah spoke these words of prophecy about Jesus at a time of great darkness, approximately 740 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But the prophecy came true, giving us the greatest gift that has ever been given to our world. Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus’ birth.

"For to us a child is born." This gift of a child is for us, for all humankind. Our Savior would grow from a child into an adult and bear a tremendous amount of responsibility. But he would also be uniquely qualified for all that would be placed on his shoulders. He has no flaw in his character, no impure motives, just a genuine love for his Heavenly Father and for us, his people.

The last part of the verse states that Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.” Peace is not a word that I would use to describe our world today. People are struggling with so many things that it can be overwhelming. But Jesus is our Prince of Peace! There is no storm that he cannot calm, no obstacle too big for him to overcome. There is nothing that any of us can face that he cannot handle. When we trust in Christ, we learn that no matter what life looks like for us, no matter what struggles we face, his presence can calm any storm. He truly is the Prince of Peace.

This peace Jesus offers is one that the world can never give. For so long, I heard people in church talk about a “peace that passes all understanding.” I never had that before accepting Jesus into my life. I have walked through some incredibly difficult challenges in my life, but I have come to trust in the Prince of Peace and rest in that “peace that passes all understanding.”

My hope for you this Advent season is that you will not only discover the Prince of Peace but that you will also learn to trust in him when faced with the challenges life brings. He can be trusted. He truly is a “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”

Reflect: What aspect of Jesus (Counselor, Father, Prince of Peace) do you need to experience most this Christmas season, and why?