Silence: Take a moment to get still and ask God to center your heart on him.

Scripture: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

Devotional: When the heavenly hosts where praising God in the open field over the shepherds, they closed their song singing, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! It’s a staple in the Christmas story. A story told in every kid’s book about the birth of Jesus.

However, have you ever paused for a moment and asked what type of peace has God provided to his people?

Pastor Rick Warren argues that there are three types of peace God has given to us through Jesus – spiritual, emotional, relational. Let’s survey those three real quick.

1. Spiritual – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1). Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and our confession of faith that Jesus is Lord, we have been brought to peace with God. The penalty for our sin has been paid for and we have had our relationship with God the Father restored to it’s rightful place.
2. Emotional – ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7). Now that our relationship with God is at peace through we can pray to him as a kind heavenly Father who loves to give good gifts. One of the gifts he gives to us is the gift of his peace, which surpasses all understanding. Now, we no longer have to live in anxiety or stress about life, but can trust that God is fully in control and is doing all things for our good.
3. Relational – ⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9) Not only have we been given peace spiritually and emotionally, but we’ve been called to work towards peace with others. We are to forgive, be patient, extend grace, apologize, ask for forgiveness, and restore right relationship with those in our life.
   

When the angels where singing of peace they were not just singing about the spiritual peace God would provide, but the peace he would give to us and the peace he would call us to live out with others.

Question: Have you experienced all 3 types of peace God provides? Are you anxious about anything? Do you need to make peace with anyone in your life?

Action: If you haven’t experienced the peace of God through Christ, confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that He is God. If you are anxious about something in your life, confess it to God and ask for his peace. Lastly, if there is someone you need to make peace with ask God for the strength and go reconcile with them.

Prayer: God, thank you for sending your son Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Through his life, death and resurrection we have peace with you through faith. Not only did we get spiritual peace, but we got access to emotional peace that can help us fight anxiety. Now, we ask for strength to make peace with all people, so that we might be called children of God. Amen.