FROM WOE TO PEACE
- DAY 360
- FEAR FILE: THE SHEPHERD
- SCRIPTURES: LUKE 2:8-10, 13-14
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 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, goodwill toward men!”
In our text today, a couple of shepherds are watching their sheep, unaware of the miracle that just transpired on earth but heaven thought it wise to announce the birth of Jesus to them. When he finishes his announcement, the shepherds watch as a multitude of heavenly hosts sing for joy and what they say is also too significant to miss: “On earth, peace amongst men.” Why is this significant? We read in Revelations
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” – Revelations 12:12
This is an account of the fall of Satan and we read the response of the angels when this happens. They declare that the heavens should rejoice because Satan has fallen, but the earth should mourn for the same reason. Satan fell with wrath and started tormenting those on earth but there is good news. This good news is what the angels announce – Peace on the earth. As soon as Jesus was born, the angels changed their statement from woe on earth to peace on earth.
Beloved, the world has woes and that will never change, but if you are in Christ, there is peace for you. All the woes and torment that fear brings, are not for you. Jesus said that peace is not like the world gives, the world cannot even comprehend it, and it surpasses all understanding. This peace is Jesus’ peace and it has been freely and generously given to you by Christ. Wherever your peace has been stolen, I declare a reversal right now and a release of peace in Jesus’ name
Shalom.
