Sojourn Carlisle Advent Devotional 2024 - Hope
by Susan Reiske
A Flashbulb Memory is an event that you remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard about it.
I was driving into Detroit when the radio announced that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Then another into a second tower. Then the Pentagon. Then a field in Pennsylvania. I spent the rest of that day watching the horror unfold on the TV news, wondering, “Are we at war?”.
Shalom is often translated as “peace”, but also means wholeness or completion. True peace comes from reconciliation with God through the work of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1
Peace is not merely the absence of war or conflict. Peace is abiding in Him who makes us whole. We long for peace, wholeness, and reconciliation. During Advent, we remember the promises of God while awaiting Jesus's return.
Jesus taught His disciples to have Shalom peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 4:27
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” John 16:33.
Jesus promised peace in Philippians 4:4-9.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Brethren, grasp ahold of the promises of God. He is near. He sees you. Pray with thanksgiving and His unfathomable peace will guard your heart (emotions) and your mind (thoughts). The Prince of Peace is with you. Share His peace with others to double the joy and half the sorrow by bearing each other’s burdens. All through the chaos after that fateful day on 9/11/2011, the Covid pandemic, loss of loved ones, illness, financial crises, and whatever our struggles are, we can have peace, thanks to the saving work of Jesus in our lives.
Let this be your Flashbulb Memory.
We have this assurance because He is faithful. This confidence, this peace, is our testimony to a dark, fallen world.
''May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.’' Num 6:24-26