Notes of Faith December 26, 2025
Keeping the Peace
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3
How is it that the season in which we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) can become a season of stress and anxiety? The Christmas season has become so busy that it is easy to lose the peace that Jesus promised: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27).
Recommended Reading:
Philippians 4:6-9
As you take a moment to rest between Christmas and the beginning of the new year, reflect on this question: How do we maintain the peace of God and closeness with God that allows us to keep everything else in perspective? Surely it begins with maintaining a daily closeness with Jesus whereby we find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). In that discipline we are reminded of God’s words through the psalmist, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In those moments we can focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable—values not always communicated by the world (Philippians 4:6-9).
It’s much easier to maintain a daily discipline of intimacy with God than to restart it once it is lost.
God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself.
C. S. Lewis
Isa 9:6
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:14
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
John 16:33
33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Phil 4:5-7
The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:2
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
John 14:27-28
27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. 28 "You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.'
Rev 1:4
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come…
Rev 22:20
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Wonderful Peace
Refrain:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Refrain
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Refrain
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Author of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Refrain
Pastor Dale