Peace Be Within You

We are blessed at Trinity Church of the Nazarene to have many gifted writers who share their gifts with us throughout the Advent season with daily devotionals. We invite you to reflect on these insightful readings and prepare your heart for celebrating this special season.

PSALM 122

¹I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
²Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.

³Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
⁴That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
⁵There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.

⁶Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
⁷May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
⁸For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
⁹For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

PEACE BE WITHIN YOU

After being invited to join a group of worshippers on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, we read in verse 2 that the psalmist begins a song of gratitude for having been there. The high experience is now behind them, and they are returning home. The “tribes of the Lord” have been given a decree to give thanks to Yahweh.

This psalmist, according to some commentaries, has just experienced his first visit to Jerusalem, taking in the surroundings of tight streets and a closed-in or compact city. The psalmist notices the different tribes, cultures, and people filling the streets. This was a celebration pilgrimage, possibly after gathering their harvest to give thanks to Yahweh.

We have just celebrated our own Thanksgiving, giving thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed on us. We each have our reflections and gratitude. Some of us, however, may still bear burdens of sadness, or that for which we sought became an unmet healing or provision.

Let us follow the lead of the psalmist. “For my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’” This is a shining example of speaking the peace of God into the very heart and soul of those we love. Peace be within those who do not have peace. Peace be within those who have hurt and disappointed us. Peace be within the circle of those we know. Peace be within our church. Peace be within us!

The only remedy for pain and suffering, hurt and division, or crisis and sadness is peace. I join the psalmist and pray for peace to be within you.

More Advent Devotionals

The Branch Made Strong

“Look down from heaven and see the branch that You made strong for yourself.” (vss.14-15 NKJV)

Psalm 42

I have been thirsty–long hikes, limited water, and miles before the next source. I read the map, looking for the blue water drops printed next to the known sources of water.

Jude 1:17-25

Advent keeps us mindful that we are a people of waiting. This season mirrors the time God’s people endured waiting for the promise of redemption and reconciliation to be fulfilled. We wait, but we do not wait passively.

I Will Yet Praise Him

Near my home is a trench drain that collects water during the rainy season. If you live in Colorado, you well know that an abundance of collected water is not typical.

Isaiah 35:1-10

God is at work around us, the smells from the heavenly kitchen are wafting our way like the aromas from grandmother’s kitchen. God is calling us this advent to start setting the table.

1 Samuel 2:1-10

This is the Messiah for whom we eagerly await at Advent. This is the one we celebrate each Christmas as God’s gift to the world: the Messiah whose kingdom is established for eternity! God’s power, concern for the needy, justice, and eternal reign are manifest in the Christ child, our Lord and Savior.