December 10th

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16

What’s been one of the greatest gifts you’ve ever received? I imagine that when you were younger, like myself, it was always those gifts you wanted for so long. When you finally received one, it felt like your life was made. If you're reminiscing right now on what that gift was for you (I’m picturing mine as well—it was an artist’s easel when I was 10), there’s a sense of joy, pride, and excitement that comes when you receive something truly special.

Now, as you get older, those gifts become a little less tangible, but perhaps even more meaningful. The greatest gifts are often the ones that can’t be seen or touched—things like quality time with a great friend, a really good meal, or kindness from a stranger. The list goes on.

Even the greatest gifts, whether from childhood or from more recent, impactful moments with people we love, are minuscule in comparison to the gifts Jesus offers us. As this verse says, the Lord of peace Himself gives you His peace at all times and in every situation. Now that’s a great gift. It’s a gift that brings joy, pride, and excitement, but also a gift that never fades.

Unlike a tangible gift, or even a memory-making moment, this gift is long-lasting. His gift of peace, from the very Prince of Peace—the one who IS peace—is given to us at all times and in every situation.
We don’t have to wait to open this gift. We don’t have to wait for the “right” moment; we have this gift right now. Even if we are waiting for so many other things in our lives, even if we are in the middle of the hardest or most painful season of waiting, His peace is right here, right now. We have access to it. Will we take it today? Will we choose to access this gift of peace from the very Prince of Peace and let it fill our hearts in our current situation? His peace is bigger than our problems. His peace is bigger than our situation. His peace is bigger than our disappointment. His peace is with us today.

-grace hazelgrove