Prince of Peace

"…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." 1

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." 2 "I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 3

Forging Peace

With sword of sin and spear of hurt,
I fall before the Blacksmith fair.
He stokes His furnace of Mercy:
The Living Flame leaps in the air.

He hammers the sword and the spear,
And shatters my excuse and blame.
On anvil of His Sacrifice,
He pummels down my guilt and shame.

He plunges all of my weapons
Deep into Mercy's Living Flame.
I offer Him my heart of coal;
He takes my heart and does the same.

My weapons melt in the white heat;
Mercy consumes my heart of coal.
With tongs of His consolation,
He lifts me out -- I am now whole.

He pours out my molten spirit
Into the mold of His New Life:
With tools of Merciful Love
He forges peace from what was strife!

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1. Isaiah 2:4
2. John 14:27
3. John 16:33