December 23rd, 2020
Family Tree Devotional Series - Week 4 – Peace – Allison Hand
Peace = Reconciliation
Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
The famous poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote a poem about his experience on Christmas day, which many today can relate to our lives. It is called “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” and it is also sung by some modern-day music artists (go listen!). He writes this poem after having experienced the tragic loss of his wife, a single father of six children, his son being severely wounded in the Civil War, and cannon booms and gun shots not far off. Loss, tragedy, injustice. Sound familiar? He writes “There is no peace on earth…for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.” This world is just as broken as it was back in Longfellow’s time. But reveals our great need of a Savior and makes the message of Jesus' birth so joyful.
Our Scripture today reminds us that peace on earth was Christ, our Redeemer showing up to die for us so that we have the ability for reconciliation back into a relationship with him. The reconciliation Christ offers returns us to our original garden of Eden state. We don’t just get to know God but walk closely with him every day, just as Adam and Eve did. God made peace with us through the blood of the cross. We now have access to an intimate relationship with Him. A God who wants us to seek him always so he can be our help and our peace in this broken world.
Longfellow reflects this message towards the end of his poem, “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep, the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”
Are you walking closely with God today to experience his peace in your broken world? Seek God today and know the peace that goes beyond all understanding.
Peace = Reconciliation
Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
The famous poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote a poem about his experience on Christmas day, which many today can relate to our lives. It is called “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” and it is also sung by some modern-day music artists (go listen!). He writes this poem after having experienced the tragic loss of his wife, a single father of six children, his son being severely wounded in the Civil War, and cannon booms and gun shots not far off. Loss, tragedy, injustice. Sound familiar? He writes “There is no peace on earth…for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.” This world is just as broken as it was back in Longfellow’s time. But reveals our great need of a Savior and makes the message of Jesus' birth so joyful.
Our Scripture today reminds us that peace on earth was Christ, our Redeemer showing up to die for us so that we have the ability for reconciliation back into a relationship with him. The reconciliation Christ offers returns us to our original garden of Eden state. We don’t just get to know God but walk closely with him every day, just as Adam and Eve did. God made peace with us through the blood of the cross. We now have access to an intimate relationship with Him. A God who wants us to seek him always so he can be our help and our peace in this broken world.
Longfellow reflects this message towards the end of his poem, “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep, the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”
Are you walking closely with God today to experience his peace in your broken world? Seek God today and know the peace that goes beyond all understanding.
Posted in Family Tree Devos
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