an Advent Devotion by Dick Auhl

Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.   Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.   And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Have you experience the peace which surpasses all understanding?  It’s easy to have peace when everything is peaceful.  I’ve experienced some wonderful times of peace, but they have come on so few occasions in my life.  I remember one of my first experiences of peace came during a retreat at a camp when I was off by myself in prayer experiencing God’s presence in a very special way.  I recall on a vacation trip to visit our daughter and family in Colorado, Marcie and I stopped in Wyoming at Devils Tower (of all places) and sat peacefully relaxing on a bench while we watch two climbers climb the tower.  I’ve experienced peace on several occasions relaxing on the beach with a book while listening to the waves lap on the shore.  Probably, one of my most relaxing days of peace occurred on the first working day after I retired and I could totally relax on our porch with all the pressures of work off my shoulders.  But do these experiences of peace come anywhere close to the “peace of God which surpasses all understanding” that Paul mentions in Philippians 4:7? 

Isaiah 9:6 states that a child would be born whose name would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus stated to His disciples in John 16:33 that in Him they may have peace. In the world they will have tribulation. But they should take heart because Jesus said “I have overcome the world.”  In Romans 15:13, Paul state “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Notice that in this one sentence Paul uses three of the meanings of the Advent Candles – hope, joy and peace.) 

Paul was familiar with the people living in Philippi, having visited there as described in Acts 16, where he baptized Lydia and other new Christians.  But he and Silas were also attacked, beaten with rods and thrown into prison.  While in prison, he and Silas must have experienced the “peace that surpasses all understanding,” since it was there that they were praying and singing hymns to God, when suddenly there was a great earthquake, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.  It all turned out well for Paul and Silas with the jailer and his family being baptized, with the charges against Paul and Silas being dropped, and the officials apologized before letting them go (in peace). 

Is not the same peace available for us today?  Can we experience the same peace which surpasses all understanding as we deal with all the problems, frustrations and unexpected delays with planting New Life Global Methodist Church here in State College.  I believe we can, because God is ultimately in charge, is totally on our side, and knows exactly what is going on.  Our troubles are minor when compared to those of many Christians around the world.  This Christmas we can greatly thank God for His peace. 

Prayer Forgive us Lord if we’ve let any of the obstacles, frustrations, disappointments and troubles of life take away from us Your peace that can, and does, surpass all understanding.  Help us always to be connected closely to Jesus, knowing that He is the way, the truth, the life and is the ultimate source of your perfect peace.