Peace With God

Peace doesn't come from getting past a hard season or reaching some better circumstance; it comes from a relationship with Jesus that stays steady no matter the circumstance. Paul, writing from prison, shows that we pursue this peace by praying about everything instead of worrying, and by fixing our thoughts on what is true and good, letting that fill our hearts and spill into our lives.

Matthew opens the story of Jesus with the good news that God did not just watch us from a distance — He joined us as Emmanuel, God with us. Because He got in the game with us as wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, we can trust Him even when His plans feel scary or make no sense, and simply believe Him.