Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Hosanna - Jesus Christ, the Lord of Peace

Biblical Passage: Zechariah 9: 9 – 17

Zechariah 9: 10
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.
Devotion
I had once read a story which talked about a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. And after viewing all the paintings, two of them emerged as final contenders. The first was a picture of a calm lake and along the shore was a flock of sheep grazing undisturbed. Everyone thought it was a perfect picture of peace. The second picture had mountains like the first painting, but these were rugged and bare. It also portrayed a dark sky from which rain fell and lightning struck. This was what many would consider the opposite of peace. But when the king looked closely, he saw a little bird had built a nest on the side of the mountain. Amid all the tumultuousness, undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, sat a mother bird in her nest – in perfect peace. 
Doesn’t this sound like something that we have all been through? 
We can see the resemblance between our lives, the second picture and the scripture portion for today. Our lives are a constant struggle filled with doubts, stress and longing for something better. And while battles and turmoil persisted in today’s scripture, Zechariah prophesies of a King coming on a foal of a donkey (v 9). This king will proclaim peace to the nations and set free the prisoners (v10). 
And many centuries later, Jesus, the Prince of peace came. He fulfilled all the Messianic prophesies including death on the cross to bring peace between us and God the Father. He promised to provide us lasting peace that no one in the world can provide for us (John 14:27). Peace that is only derived by placing our trust in his life, death and resurrection. Knowing that nothing can ever possibly touch us outside of his will and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6). Hence regardless of the turmoil of life, his children can also rest – in perfect peace.
 
Prayer
Lord, help us to be reflections of you in this world. Help us to be peacemakers where you place us so that we can show a glimpse of your kingdom to the people around us.

Thought for the Day
Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties. 
C. S. Lewis.

Noel George, Long Island Mar Thoma Church, New York

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