Experiencing God's Presence #359

Experiencing God's Presence #359

. . . Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

In Genesis 14, Abraham pursued a group of invading warrior kings to recapture everything they had stolen. In 1 Samuel 30, David pursued a group of raiders who had destroyed Ziklag and taken his men’s possessions, wives, and children. Both men, pictures of Christ in their victories, recovered all that was stolen—everything and more. And both gave credit to God—Abraham even tithing to a mysterious “king of shalom” (see Hebrews 7:2). In the end, nothing was lost.

Our Prince of Shalom has come to give us peace, wholeness, abundance, fulfillment, and rest. And oh, how we need it. Life can be tumultuous. On this very day, there are people sitting in emergency rooms, living in homeless shelters, wandering back alleys, suffering domestic violence, and receiving lasting scars of emotional abuse. But there are also people overcoming lifelong traumas, repairing marriages, returning to homes and families, finding places to live, and being healed of injuries and diseases. And one way or another, perceived or not, the Prince of Peace is in the middle of those restorations.

That’s one of the Messiah’s primary missions: restoration. He came to make things right. There’s healing in the Presence. Broken places are repaired, wounded places are healed, fragmented hearts are made whole. We don’t know how that happens, just that it does. His touch defies explanation, but the effects can be dramatic.

We don’t see this on a global scale—yet—although His Presence is discernible in society when His people have shaped it. But we certainly see it in the lives of those who come to Him, in families and communities that invite His restoring Presence into their midst. Whether you have experienced a major trauma or a minor trial—if there is such a thing—the Prince of Peace can restore what was taken and even give you greater plunder from it. Know that He is redeeming all the losses of your life.

Jesus, I’ve experienced plenty of losses and have plenty of regrets. Please restore Your peace and abundance, Your shalom, to every area of my life.