Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27
Jesus left this beautiful statement with His followers, “MY peace I give unto you…” What is different about His peace compared to the peace the world gives? The difference is in what can be delivered, and on what terms that peace comes. Christ provides a peace which passes all understanding. We cannot comprehend how we can have such peace amidst trials, deaths, debilitating circumstances, worries beyond our ability to cope, disease, poverty, hatreds, and oft-disappointments. It is incomprehensible how that peace can reach so far down into our beings that we can walk through these events without buckling? The world can give us temporary relief from some troubles, but it comes at a price. The peace of the world is shallow. It cannot and does not defy understanding, and is generally limited to the problem at hand. Christ’s peace covers all of life’s situations and is at the bedrock of our worries and joys. Like a cool stream on a hot day, the Lord’s peace has the ability to remove the heat out of every troubling occurrence. Jesus ends the verse with, “Let not our heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Despite this encouragement, we can let our hearts be troubled, and find we are often still afraid in times of trouble. Our heart is the seat of the Spirit, and we should strengthen ourselves and let the King reign in that place, overseeing our troubled hearts. We can let Jesus’ words have no effect on us if we allow the fear to be greater than Christ’s ability to provide His peace. Jesus is saying that there is no reason for our hearts to be troubled or afraid. He is with us. Jesus is greater than our problems and our tragedies. We still may have to sail through many turbulent issues. However, with our redeemer at the helm, as he was with the disciples through troubled waters, peace will come. Let it!
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the peace which you provide freely, ,and which covers all situations. Please help me grow into a person who can accept this peace through all of life’s circumstances and, unlike the disciples in the boat, be at peace through the turbulence.
Comments