Daily Devotion

King of Peace

“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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

In a world often marked by unrest, division, and uncertainty, the promise of Isaiah shines like a beacon of hope. The child foretold is no ordinary ruler—He is the Prince of Peace. Jesus brings a peace that surpasses human understanding: not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness, harmony, and justice.

His peace heals the broken, calms the anxious, and reconciles the estranged. Under His reign, true peace is not a distant ideal but a present reality for those who trust in Him. When Christ rules in our hearts, His peace transforms us—softening our responses, guiding our decisions, and shaping our relationships.

The peace of Christ is not passive. It is active, seeking justice, mercy, and righteousness. As followers of the Prince of Peace, we are called to be peacemakers—living out His peace in a world that desperately needs it.

There’s a story about two brothers who lived on adjoining farms. After 40 years of farming side by side—sharing tools, trading crops, and helping each other—an argument broke out. It began with a small misunderstanding, but grew into harsh words, bitter silence, and eventually a physical divide: one brother used a bulldozer to dig a trench between their properties, turning a stream into a boundary of separation.

One day, a carpenter knocked on the older brother’s door, looking for work. The brother said, “Yes—see that farm over there? That’s my younger brother. He dug that trench to divide us. I want you to build a fence so I don’t have to see his place again.”

The carpenter agreed. But instead of building a fence, he built a bridge over the stream.

When the younger brother saw the bridge, he was stunned. He walked across it and embraced his older brother. "After all I’ve said and done... you still built this?" The older brother paused, looked at the carpenter—and they both smiled.

That’s the work of a peacemaker—not building walls, but bridges. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, did exactly that on the cross: He built a bridge between us and God, and calls us to do the same in our relationships with others.

Prince of Peace, you reign with justice and mercy. In a world filled with noise and conflict, quiet my soul with your calming presence. Let your peace rule in my heart—bringing stillness where there is restlessness, and healing where there is hurt. Help me to be an instrument of your peace: in my home, in my community, and in the world. May your justice flow through my actions, your love shape my words, and your presence guide my steps. I surrender my fears, my burdens, and my striving to your perfect peace. Amen.