By Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Many times we consider these words and wonder, “What in the world happened?”

There seems to be such turmoil instead of peace, and much more ill-will than good-will. Did God’s plan fail? Let me assure you that nothing is farther from the truth.

Jesus predicted that such would be the world in which we live. “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars… For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places” (Matt. 24:6-7).

The beloved physician, Luke, tells us that Jesus also said men’s hearts will fail them “for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming,” (Luke 21:26). Where then is the promised peace and good-will? I think of the song Tonight Is Christmas (Munsey/Worsham/Matthews) and the moving words of the second verse, “But across the seas two armies stare down at each other’s guns, Each believing in their cause enough to die or kill the other one…”.

We have totally lost sight of God’s plan for us!

I urge you to remember the call of Christ, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt.11:28).

The peace of God comes through a personal relationship with Christ. This relationship will bring peace, good-will toward men and cause you to rejoice with “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:8). Nothing has changed, nothing has failed, you just need to come to Christ on a personal level and allow Him to bring the joy of His salvation into your life. All the stuff around you that brings turmoil is in God’s hands, leave it to Him and enjoy the life He has given you. Merry Christmas, my brothers and sisters!