December 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Hebrews 13:10-21:

¹⁰We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
¹¹For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
¹²Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
¹³Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
¹⁴For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
¹⁵By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
¹⁶But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
¹⁷Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
¹⁸Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
¹⁹But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
²⁰Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
²¹Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Devotional

In a world of strife and war and bloodshed, how we long for peace! In a heart of sin and doubt and fear, how we welcome peace and rest, "the peace of God that passeth all understanding!" God is a God of peace. How do we become possessors of his peace? Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. "It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself." "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

This is the peace which Christ alone can give. He said unto his disciples, "My peace I give unto you . . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace." And we have the promise that the God of peace shall be with us. "The God of love and peace shall be with you." "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." And where the God of peace reigns in the heart, there will be peace also between man and man.

"Now the God of peace . . . . make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Prayer

O Thou God of peace, speak peace unto our souls. May the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Grant that our hearts may not be troubled, neither let them be afraid; but may the God of peace dwell in them. May we be at peace, if possible, with all men, and may the Prince of Peace extend his kingdom unto the ends of the earth, and may his followers have great peace. For Christ's sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: !sa. 9:6: Col. 1:19, 20; Rom. 5:1; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 15:33; Phil. 4:9; Rom. 16:20; Heb. 13:20, 21.

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