Bible Ballistics: BBs #419   Sleeping In Heavenly Peace???

 

Of course we have all been hearing the Christmas music around us, and the other day as I was listening to some Christmas Carols, one of everyone’s favorites was playing, “Silent Night”. As I was listening it struck me in a way that I’d never perceived before. So often we hear things but we don’t grasp the depth of what we are hearing; well, that is what happened to me as I heard that line that we have probably all sung repeatedly, “Sleep in heavenly peace”. Even as I type it I can’t help but sing that lovely old Carol. But what was so profound to me was that it occurred to me, how does one “sleep in heavenly peace”?

 

Of course the Christ child could “sleep in heavenly peace” because He was from heaven, come to earth to “save his people from their sins” (See Matt. 1:21), but what about you and I? Can we “sleep in heavenly peace”? As best as I can discern and determine from scripture, there is only One Way to be able to do that, and that is to be “born again” by repentance and faith in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross!

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

Jesus was born into this world that we might be “born again” to eternal life!!! Not to be trite, but that is what “Christmas” is all about! Jesus, the Messiah of all mankind, taking on human flesh and blood to pay the price for our sin! Without Him, we would have no hope, for only HE can give us that “heavenly peace”, even as scripture declares!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope of the glory of God.”    Romans 5:1-2

Jesus has reconciled us to God, for we were at enmity with Him because of our sin, even as Romans 5 continues:

“For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified

by his blood,

we shall be saved

from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved

by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:6-11

What a wonder, that the sinless, holy and perfect Son of God would come to save us, you and me—sinners who deserved the destiny of hell, restored to relationship, love and peace with God. Not just the “peace of God that passeth all understanding” which Paul wrote about to the Philippians, but “peace with God”, the very God who hates sin (always has, still does, and always will!), but loved us so much that “He gave His only begotten Son” to pay for our sin! Just as Paul declared in the above passage:

“while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us……

       when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God”

Amen and Amen! To God be the glory, that He sent Jesus—God with us, Emmanuel—to pay for our sin, and to give us HIS peace within, no matter the chaos and trouble without! We often think that peace is the absence of turmoil, but peace is so much more—it is the perfect “peace of God” as well as “peace with God” that is with us regardless of the outward circumstance! And when I have HIS peace and His presence, I can truly “sleep in heavenly peace”! Even as the Psalmist declared so long ago, may we sleep well! And rejoice in the glory of Jesus every day!!!

“I will both lay me down

in peace,

and sleep:

for thou, LORD, only

makest me dwell in safety.”    Psalm 4:8