Prince of Peace
In the new testament, the Prince of Peace—Jesus— gives us this promise—
John 14:27 | “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Peace of mind and heart without fear or anxiety - what a wonderful gift!
But sometimes, this world is full of trouble and chaos. Remember Habakkuk? His mind was full of turmoil and fear because of the state of the world around him. Many years later, all of God’s people could relate to Habakkuk’s feelings as they experienced the invasion of a very cruel Babylon.
Daniel 1:1 | During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
God gave Nebuchadnezzar the victory and then—
Daniel 1:3-4 | Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”
The Jewish people would first have their sons stolen and then, over time, many more would be taken captive or killed during Babylonian rule. During this time, the freedom, culture, religion, rights, and lives of the Jews were attacked.
Surely God’s people were fearful and anxious. Peace of mind probably felt unattainable with the very real war happening around them.
During this time, standing firm on the practices of their faith condemned the Jews to death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego met the furnace of fire for refusing to worship idols and Daniel was thrown in with lions for being faithful in prayer.
The instinct of God’s people was probably to run. When they couldn’t escape the terror of the Babylonians, they likely tried to hide their faith and felt terrified, worried, and without hope. But over 100 years before, through Isaiah, God promised that freedom and peace were coming.
Isaiah 9:4a | For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
Isaiah 9:6-7a | For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
Where was this Ruler of Promised Peace? Was peace possible in the chaos? Yes, in fact, God instructed his people to embrace their place in the chaos during captivity saying-
Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10-14 | This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”… This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
God’s instructions to His people were to pray, seek Him wholeheartedly, and to keep trusting Him. Their job was to stay focused on His promised peace— the coming Jesus.
Just like God’s people then, we find ourselves surrounded by chaos and storms in this life. By keeping our minds set on the Prince of Peace— Our Savior— and His promises, we remember that just like the captives in Babylon, the chaos and storms are not the end of the story.
John 16:33 | I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Stand firm on God’s promises, pray, and wholeheartedly seek Him. In the middle of the chaos, peace is found in Jesus.
What is peace?
What kind of peace were the Jews in the Old Testament looking for?
What kind of peace did Jesus promise?
What kinds of things make it hard for you to have peace?
What should you feel worried, afraid, stormy, or chaotic (when you don’t have peace)?