TLIC FAMILY. DAY 103. APRIL 13: THEIR PEACE.

THINK TOGETHER

What is something that you think would make you happy today?

READ TOGETHER

In the Bible the word peace is a very important word. Peace can mean that two people who were fighting have stopped fighting. But in the Bible the word peace means much more than ending a problem or a fight. The Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language, and in Hebrew the word peace is the word shalom. Can you say it: SHAH – LOME. Shalom is one of the most important words to the Hebrew people. It is their word for both hello and for goodbye. To wish somebody shalom is to hope that everything goes great for them.

Usually we think that we will have peace, happiness, or shalom when we get something good, or when something bad goes away. Like if we get the birthday present we wanted we will be at peace. Or if there’s a snow day we will be happy. Or, more seriously, if our sickness goes away, or if the other kids at school are nice to us, then we will have peace and shalom. But 700 years before Jesus, the prophet Micah said something pretty different about shalom. Listen to his prophecy here:

Micah 5:2-5 ²But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. ⁴And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord…And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. ⁵And he shall be their peace.

Micah tells the Hebrew people that one day a king will come from Bethlehem and be a good shepherd to them. He is from ancient days, which is a fancy way of saying that he will be from forever, eternal. Who is Micah describing? That’s right it’s Jesus. And Micah says that Jesus will be their peace.

You see, our shalom is not found in a THING. It’s found in a PERSON. We aren’t truly happy just because we get what we want or because something bad goes away. All of that can change. But Jesus’ love and forgiveness never change. They never go away. And trusting that is how we can have real shalom.

Because of Jesus I am at peace with God.

With Jesus I can always have peace in my heart even when things are hard.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Sing “Peace Like a River” together. The Josh Garrels version is fun.

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus, you are my shepherd. Now I can feel peace on the inside even when things are hard on the outside. Amen.TLIC FAMILY. DAY 103. APRIL 13: THEIR PEACE.