Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men (Day Twenty-one)

I awoke hearing the words,
“Peace on Earth, good will to men.”

It came like a Heavenly declaration from the Creator of the Earth and of men. With it I could feel the longing in the very heart of God for men to experience all that He creates them to enjoy: peace, goodness, joy, adoration, and a love that brings all things together in beautiful unity.

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

The longing within this declaration took my breath away and caused my heart to race with a fresh revelation of His love for all that He has created. I could hear His cry that passionately groaned,

“Oh, that none may perish but all would know the depth, height, and width of my love for the ones that I died for.”

This was like the words from 2 Peter 3:9,

“The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

The mercy of God is stirred once again to intervene on behalf of those who have no ears to hear or eyes to see. Like Joshua the high priest in Zechariah 3, who was a “brand plucked from the fire” or Paul on the road to Damascus, who was apprehended by grace, I feel the mercy of God reaching down to capture the ones that have been held captive by sin and death. Oh, that none should perish!

The Father’s longing is not about right or wrong, it is not religious or political...it is the longing of a loving father who wants His children to experience all the love and beauty that they were created for. Just as the prodigal son’s father waited patiently for his return, the Heavenly Father waits with bated breath to embrace and restore those who have left his home and arms.

Today, receive the longing and love that is pouring forth from the very heart of God. As you do, enter into His longing for those who are still in captivity. Call them home. Weep with Him for the ones that He weeps for. Call for mercy to be the road home during this season.

We pray from the words of the Christmas song “Away in a Manger”,

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
​And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

Amen