The God of Peace
Today’s Advent Bible Verses:
Romans 16:20 ESV
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Saint Paul gives us a promise that resonates with us this Advent: the God of peace will crush Satan under our feet. This blessed assurance points us to the victory of His Son, Jesus Christ, not only in His first coming as the child of Mary but also in His return we long for as His people.
The phrase “God of peace” may seem a bit surprising in the context that we want Him to crush Satan. Yet it reminds us that true peace is not the absence of conflict but the restoration of God’s order and justice for us. Jesus brings us peace as we dwell in the darkness of our day, a transformational peace that passes all understanding.
During this season, we celebrate the first crushing blow to God’s enemy and ours through the incarnation of Jesus. In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus disarms the powers of evil. His promise gives us strength for today. Satan’s defeat is certain, even though we and the world experience his attacks. We stand firm through faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, knowing God’s power is at work for us.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Gracious God, You are the God of peace, and through Jesus, You have defeated the powers of sin and darkness. As I continue my Advent journey, help me to trust in Your promise that Satan will be crushed under my feet. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.