“If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” —Puritan Thomas Watson
Oftentimes, our concept of peace in this fallen world is misguided. Peace does not mean our lives are without troubles. The peace that the Christ child brought to us is instead a peace DESPITE troubles because we have a God who died and was resurrected to leave us with Peace.
Hopefully throughout this Advent series, the prominence of the Old Testament in the Christmas story is evident. Today, we will look at Moses and the Israelites and what God taught them about finding peace. As you know, Israel was constantly faced with wars, tribulations, and persecution as surrounding nations typically felt threatened by God’s chosen people.
When we discuss the Christmas story, we sometimes remember the foreshadowing of the story of Passover. As you may remember, the Israelites are being held captive as slaves by the Egyptians. God appoints Moses to fight for their freedom, even though God ultimately does all the fighting. Passover is part of the ten plagues in which all the boys under two are taken during the night for those who do not paint their doorposts with the blood of a lamb. Ultimately this foreshadows a final sacrifice of blood in Christ.
Can you imagine the Israelites. Stuck in slavery. Wanting freedom. Living through one plague after another. Not simple plagues either, we are talking some horrific ones: bloody waters, death, pestilence, etc. It would be hard to imagine living with much peace.
Even when they are set free, God tells them to turn back and camp right in front of the Egyptians. Can you imagine? The Israelites had just escaped from them and God is telling them to camp between them and the Red Sea. They would be set up for slaughter. It is in this action that we learn God is the maker of peace. Meditate on Exodus 14:13-14:
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
The King James Version says “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
FYI, the fight God promised involved splitting the Red Sea for the Israelites. You know, just creating a miracle and getting His people to safely! All in a snap for our God!
Peace is not anything we can do on our own. Thank God! We are told in Philippians 4:7, that the “peace of God transcends our understanding.” We learn this with Moses and the Israelites. Peace is not something we can muster up on our own. Peace comes from God and God alone. It came in the form of a small baby being born to fulfill God’s promises. It came in the form of Christ death and resurrection for us! It came in a Holy Spirit sent to dwell within us believers!
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 5:1
Again I say, Take Heart fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We have PEACE within us! Praise to the God, our father!
Family Activities/Discussion
What do you think being at peace looks like?
Do you find it difficult in times of trouble to just be still and silent?
Song:
