O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid all our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)
Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We conclude our journey through Advent with this ancient text which invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s think about this.
Sad Divisions
It has been a year of isolation and division. There has been no shortage of finger pointing with regard to COVID, social injustice, or the presidential election. Division does not have to be a bad thing, but the societal ones we have seen and felt this year have pretty terrible.
As we have gone through Advent and now the Christmas season we are reminded of how we long for things to be different. We long for there to be peace, for the song of the angels of peace on earth to finally come to pass. But it is not a magical spell that was cast, but an invitation into a better reality.
We want the peace they promised, but we must remember it was promised to those on whom God’s for rests. And who are they? The ones who have the very mind of Christ controlling them. That is how divisions cease.
Bid all our sad divisions cease,
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:2 ESV
How can we make Paul’s joy complete? Being one in showing God’s love through our actions. Though this is easier said than done it is His desire for us and He will help us as we look to Him allowing His will to be done in us. Will you allow the love of Christ to compel you to unity? It will absolutely require you to change your mind until it is a reflection of the very mind of God.
One other translation of this line says, “bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease”, but this one is simpler, “all our sad divisions”. Whatever their root cause, our differences or divisions often create envy, strife and quarrels instead of bringing us together. Ask Jesus to cause them all to cease, and let it start with you.
RESONATE!
Do you want to see sad divisions cease? Then pray this simple prayer and watch it begin to happen, first inside you, then around you. “Jesus, starting with me, bid all our sad divisions cease.”
King of Peace
And here is the crux of the entire issue. See what I did there? Crux, cross.
The King of peace has made peace available to us through His reconciling work on the cross. We were at odds with God, Who is blameless, but Jesus changed that. We were once alienated from God and without peace.
Then Jesus changed our standing before God. He died so He could leave His peace with us, and allow it to rest on us. He has invited us to give our trouble and fear to Him for He has removed it.
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV
The angel sang of peace at His birth and Jesus echoed it during His life. As we close out this year which has been so laden with chaos, pray for the peace of our Prince to fill our lives and overflow to the world around us which so desperately needs it.
RESONATE!
Fill my life with Your peace Jesus. Let it flow from me into the world around me. Thank you for making peace with us.
Jesus, thank You for becoming our peace, and giving us a model to follow as we strive to see divisions cease. We can not do it without you. Go before us Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Peaceful Thinking!
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Podcast 24.5 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV
A child has been born, not just to Israel, or those of faith in the One true God, but to the world, a child who will bring the deepest longings to every heart that seek Him: counsel, protection, care and peace. Give thanks to God if you know Him this season, and if you don’t seek Him now.
In one the hearts of all mankind;
…I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:23 ESV
Jesus prayed this incredible prayer for His children, and for those who would become His children. That we would be one so the world would know the Father sent Jesus because He loves us. Hallelujah! God loves us. Echo Jesus pray for unity that reflects His love.
Bid all our sad divisions cease,
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:2 ESV
How can we make Paul’s joy complete? Being one in showing God’s love through our actions. Though this is easier said than done it is His desire for us and He will help us as we look to Him allowing His will to be done in us. Ask for the love of Christ to compel you to unity.
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV
The angel sang of peace at His birth and Jesus echoed it during His life. As we close out this year which has been so laden with chaos, pray for the peace of our Prince to fill our lives and overflow to the world around us which so desperately needs it.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid all our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Peace To Cease appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
Dispel the Shadows of the Night – https://pixabay.com/photos/shadow-night-human-dark-mystical-647170/
And Turn our Darkness into Light – https://pixabay.com/photos/light-dark-pillow-city-night-4745317/
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