A Weary World Rejoices THE PROMISE OF HIS PEACE Luke 2:8-14 - Isaiah 26:3 Can we agree that anxiety is a very common emotion that we feel? According to large population-based surveys, up to 33.7% of the population are affected by an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. - NIH 301 Million people have an anxiety disorder making anxiety disorders the most common mental health disorders in the world (2019) - WHO While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy; he cannot give peace of heart, for which man yearns for more than even outward peace.” - Epictetus What do we learn about peace from this verse? 1. Personal peace is something that is obtained and retained outside of self. 2. Personal peace has a direct correlation with personal dependence on and trust in God. The way of walking with Christ is not a life marked by independence and self-sufficiency but rather the opposite: deep dependence and acknowledging self-insufficiency. Personal peace that flows from a dependence on God is a complete peace lacking nothing. - “perfect peace” = shalom shalom Luke 2:14 - Who are the ones who God favors? - This verse is NOT a general blessing of peace given to all because of the birth of Jesus. - This verse IS a specific statement that Jesus is the only one who could give all the blessing of peace. Next Steps: “Let God have all the glory, so that we may have all the peace.” - John Trapp - Enter into a saving relationship with Him today. - Fix your mind on Him and keep it there.