Peace!
When Jesus was preparing to leave this world, He said a lot to His disciples to prepare them for what was coming. Most of the things He said were not fully understood, because they could not imagine that He would actually leave. He saod to them, “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.” John 14:29 NKJV. The disciples later realized the implications and deep truths of what He told them after He died and resurrected. The confirmation of everything reassured them in the midst of the persecution, pain and stress they suffered.
It can be very comforting and reassuring to have a word from God before you need it. So that when in distress, you can easily rest in the comfort of those words and be confident in your faith that He cares for you and He will take care of you.
A relevant word recently brought to my radar is what Jesus told His disciples in John 14: 27 which says “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
In the times we are in, I find this word very relevant and comforting. What would I do without the peace of God? How would I continue to live? If I were to list the number of issues currently capable of depriving me of peace right now, it would be a very long list. Starting from the international issues of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s continued spread, the Delta variant, the inefficacy of the vaccines and the difficulty of travelling between nations; to national issues such as the pandemic, the blatant disregard for COVID-19 protocols, the tough economy with high inflation, high cost of living, skyrocketing exchange rates, insecurity, kidnappings, a silent Government; to personal issues that I would rather not list; there are many things warring against my peace at this time. Can you relate?
It is in such troubling times that I can go back to this promise of peace from the Prince of Peace Himself; and find my rest in those words. I have access to a different kind of peace, different from what the world gives. This is original peace, direct from the One who is our peace. “My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you…” Peace as a free gift. He paid the price for it, but He gives us for free! “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
He knew better than we could ever know, the kind of troubles we would have to face; and well ahead of them, He promised us His peace and gave it freely. “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Letting us know that in the face of serious challenges to our peace, when the only thing we see is trouble and fear, He has given us peace. That peace will overshadow and calm every storm in ways that only He can. “Peace, be still…” (Mark 4:39)
In further breaking down the meaning of His peace, Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians, Chapter 4 and verse 7 stated “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” NKJV. This peace is the type that is beyond all understanding. Meaning, you can’t explain it or understand how you have it; but you know that if you didn’t have it, you would have been overwhelmed and out of your mind. Such peace!
Today, that is what I am holding on to. The peace of God. That is what is sustaining me. What about you? Do you have the peace of God? Do you have confidence that He cares for you? Seek Him and He will give you His peace, beyond anything the world can give. Peace that calms the storm. Peace that calms you, even in the midst of the storm.
Shalom!