Luke 2:13-14 “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.'”
According to the Angels, people’s peace is dependant on God. It’s those who find themselves in God’s favour who receive peace. No alignment with God means no peace. Is it any wonder people who have rejected God in their hearts have no lasting peace? When trials and tribulations come, false peace fades like an exhaled breath on a cold Christmas morning. Real peace on the other hand bears a person through the hottest ordeal.
But how does a person get the favour of God to rest upon them? The bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. So faith in Jesus is vital to obtaining the peace of God. It was specifically to His disciples that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”
Faith is a gift of God, we are told. And so it comes full circle. God gifts His people the faith to believe in Jesus as saviour and Lord and by it He brings people into the favour of God and upon them his peace rests for ever and ever. So, this Christmas, top of the gift wish list should be the gift of faith! Pray for it; seek it, as the means of obtaining the favour of the Prince of Peace.