God has many names. One human word could not possibly encompass the reality and dimensions of almighty, eternal God. At various times in my life, I have been drawn to different divine names. One name I am reminded of every Christmas season is Prince of Peace. In the frenetic and tumultuous world I inhabit, peace is a daily need.
When the prophet Isaiah prophesied the coming Messiah, he said he would be the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6). Isaiah lived in a time of political upheaval. The Assyrian Empire was as invincible as it was cruel. God’s people lived in constant dread of the Assyrian army surrounding their city and showing no mercy. Yet the people’s hope lay in a coming Prince of Peace. When the angelic host finally announced that the promised Messiah had come, the world needed peace as desperately as it ever had. Roman legions were marching across the land, crushing anyone who stood in their way.
It is interesting that the Prince of Peace didn’t expel the Roman invaders. He didn’t overthrow the Jewish religious leaders who oppressed the people with needless, man-made laws. He didn’t eliminate the cruel tax collectors or heartless Roman governors. In fact, the Messiah entered into that world and was subjected to its pressures just like everyone else was.
Instead, the Messiah brought peace to people despite their outward circumstances. Ultimately, God is spirit. The spiritual world is eternal. No tyrant or cruel person can harm our spirit. It’s beyond their grasp. The Prince of Peace surrounds us with his presence in such a way that no crisis or thief can rob us of our peace.
Last week contained some harried moments. There was the usual political polarization, with the media and political parties loudly shouting accusations at one another. There were acts of terrorism in which innocent people were brutalized. There were scandals and tragedies. Death was commonplace. There were also ordinary life experiences that tend to erode peace. My dishwasher stopped working right before the holidays. My flight was delayed three hours. Deadlines loomed. Pressures mounted.
If there is anything that sounds appealing to today’s society, it’s peace. But God’s peace goes much deeper than a political or economic respite. God’s peace surrounds our heart and mind. It encompasses our soul. It reaches to the deepest recesses of our being. It’s not temporary or artificial. It’s the same eternal peace that surrounds the heavenly throne of God. Christ is not merely a prince who dispenses peace; he’s the Prince of peace.
Hopefully you enjoy a relaxing, pleasant holiday season. But if you experience challenges, remember to draw near to the Prince of Peace. He may not remove all your problems, but he will flood your soul with his presence until you are assured that, with him, all is well. No one brings peace like God, for Christ is the Prince of Peace.
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