The Prince of Peace 和平的君
Dexu Xia
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When John’s cold turned into pneumonia, he ended up in the hospital. At the same time, his mother was being treated for cancer a few floors above him, and he felt overwhelmed with worries about her and about his own health. Then on Christmas Eve, when the radio played the carol “O Holy Night,” John was flooded with a deep sense of God’s peace. He listened to the words about it being the night of the dear Savior’s birth: “A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” In that moment, his worries about himself and his mother vanished.
This “dear Savior” born to us, Jesus, is the “Prince of Peace,” as Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He came to earth as a baby, bringing light and salvation to “those living in the land of the shadow of death” (Matthew 4:16; see Isaiah 9:2). He embodies and gives peace to those He loves, even when they face hardship and death.
There in the hospital, John experienced the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) as he pondered the birth of Jesus. This encounter with God strengthened his faith and sense of gratitude as he lay in that sterile room away from his family at Christmas. May we too receive God’s gift of peace and hope.
How have you experienced God’s peace in the midst of a difficult situation? Which aspect of God in Isaiah 9:6 do you most need today? Why?
God of peace, when I’m anxious and fretting about many things, help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace.
祂名称为“奇妙策士”、“全能的上帝”、“永在的父”、“和平的君”！—以赛亚书9章6节业汉的感冒转变为肺炎，使他不得不住进了医院。与此同时，他的母亲正在楼上的病房里接受癌症治疗，他为母亲及自己的健康而担忧不已。不久，到了圣诞前夕，当业汉听到收音机播放圣诞颂歌《啊！圣善夜》时，内心充满上帝所赐的平安。歌词描述了亲爱救主降生那个夜晚的情景：“这困倦人生充满欣悦希望，因清澈晨曦彰显大荣光。”在那一刻，他对自身及母亲的忧虑顿然消失。
这位为我们降生的“亲爱救主”──耶稣，就是以赛亚预言的“和平的君”（以赛亚书9章6节）。当耶稣来到世上成为婴儿时，祂应验了这个预言，为“住在死荫之地的人”（9章2节；参阅马太福音4章16节）带来光明及救恩。耶稣体现了平安，并将这平安赐给祂所爱的人，即便他们面对困苦及死亡，也能经历这种平安。
在医院里，当业汉深思耶稣降生的意义时，他体会了这种超越人所能理解的平安（腓立比书4章7节）。在圣诞节这一天，他虽然远离家人躺在无菌室里，但这次经历上帝的同在却增强了他的信心及感恩之情。但愿我们也能得着上帝所赐的平安和盼望。
你在困境中曾如何经历上帝的平安？
在以赛亚书9章6节有关上帝的描述中，
哪个描述最切合你今日所需？为什么呢？
求祢帮助我转向祢，得着祢所赐的平安