Peace of God



Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

-Philippians 4:6 (NIV)


THE Christmas season is a beautiful time of the year, but my anxiety increases as I scramble to buy gifts for loved ones, plan family celebrations, and attend special church services. This anxiety leads to a lack of cheerfulness, and sometimes a sense of depression.

However, the apostle Paul wrote, "Do not be anxious about anything." Why do we have anxieties? Because we live our lives as if we are on our own, forgetting that we belong to God. We forget that our struggles have been lifted through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We fail to focus steadfastly on the Savior.

Listen to these words: "Christ the Lord, your Savior has been born . . . peace on earth to everyone who pleases God." (See Luke 2:11,14.) These words invite us to experience the "peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (Phil. 4:7) during this beautiful and celebrated season.

-Sherry B. Martin (South Carolina, U.S.A.)
(originally posted at: www.upperroom.org/Devotional)

Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

-Luke 1:38 (NRSV)

When Mary first heard the angel's greeting, she was troubled. Ultimately, she accepted her role as "servant of the Lord" and said, "Let it be with me according to your word." Even though she was young and did not know what was to come for herself or her child, she placed her trust in God.

At this Christmas season let us remember to place our trust in God and to "let it be with us, according to His Word".