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Monday, Dec 7 - Don’t Think I Have Come to Bring Peace<br />
After yesterday's Advent thought, I remembered a poem I'd written in a FOCUS Ministries<br />
Christmas letter year's ago. I had to go digging to find it. I'm no poet (not even close). Yet, it<br />
speaks to the concept of peace, and the notion that while angels proclaimed peace on earth,<br />
even <strong>Jesus</strong>, during His ministry said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.<br />
I have not come to bring peace, but a sword... (Matthew 10:34)." Yes, there will be divisions and<br />
strife in relationships that are close to us, as well as between nations, but, what <strong>Jesus</strong> did come<br />
to bring was individual peace for those who sought Him. A common thread runs through <strong>Jesus</strong>'<br />
miracles; a thread similar to this one, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace (Luke 7:50)!" or<br />
this prayer from the Apostle Paul (Romans 15:13): May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and<br />
peace in believing (emphasis mine). In other words: The peace of <strong>Jesus</strong> is the peace that<br />
ceases the wars that rage inside of me! So, here's that poem to ponder today:<br />
It wasn't a what, but rather a WHO,<br />
Had arrived on earth that night.<br />
A soft sweet babe in a manger,<br />
Not a king with powerful might.<br />
A simple child of parent's poor,<br />
No national wars would He cease.<br />
But there, wrapped in swaddling cloth,<br />
Lay the Sovereign Prince of Peace.<br />
He'd come to seek and save the lost,<br />
To set the captives free.<br />
To proclaim good news to every man,<br />
And cease the war in me!<br />
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,"<br />
The Scriptures make it clear.<br />
Let's not make the same mistake,<br />
This time seek His Presence here.<br />
No peace will be found 'til Christ returns,<br />
And on the Mount of Olives stands.<br />
Then Peace will reign o'er all the earth,<br />
As this Prince, His peace commands.<br />
Peg Forrest (c) 2003<br />
"Peace on earth; goodwill toward men,"<br />
The angels declared that night.<br />
But where was the peace they promised?<br />
It seemed nowhere in sight.<br />
No peace to be found in Ramah.<br />
Rachel weeping for her child.<br />
For they all sought an absence of strife.<br />
A political climate so mild.<br />
They did not understand the truth,<br />
Their eyes, in fact, were blind.<br />
They weren't to look for conditions,<br />
But a Peace of a different kind.<br />
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