Peace On Earth

2003 Advent Devotional Collection

Friday, December 5
Reading for Today: Mark 4:35-41

"But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” then the wind ceased and there was a dead calm." Mark 4:38-39

When I received the letter asking me to write a devotional for Advent I was greatly honored. The theme was “Peace on Earth.” That sounds simple. I carefully followed the instructions. Going verse-by-verse trying to be inspired, I read through the entire list of over 50 verses containing the word Peace. Nothing seemed to inspire me. I went back and reread and marked verses that had a little spark of inspiration in them. No way did I feel inspired. Man, why did the Worship Department choose this theme? Then I started complaining to my poor family. Then the verses came to me – duh! – I was showing no faith and, Bam! Jesus did it! He calmed my storm and gave me peace. I had lost my sense of peace – looking for peace. Was it that way for Mary and Joseph when they were walking from inn to inn looking for a place to stay, a place for little baby Jesus to be born? So many people looking for shelter in the inns, what were they going to do? Was there a moment when the storm was calmed, when they saw the little stable in a quiet spot behind the inn?

Prayer for Today:
Dear Lord, please help us to find your peace in this busy season. Let us remember that you calm all of our storms. Amen.

Penny R.

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