Peace I Give You

-


Scripture: John 14:27 (NIV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Devotion:

Following Jesus ' promise of the Holy Spirit to His disciples, He assures them that they will have peace. The disciples were probably not understanding what Jesus was saying to them. They had no clue what was to befall Jesus in the next 72 hours. Jesus’ betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection were not what they were expecting. They were hoping that Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom. Their hopes were about to be shattered.

This peace Jesus left them and still leaves with us today is very much to be desired as much as the disciples needed that peace in the days that would follow. We still need that peace just as much today. Just as their word was about to go spinning out of control, the world today seems to be doing the same. Somehow, Jesus, who calms the sea with a word, can still penetrate our fears and calm us today.

But Jesus knew exactly what awaited Him, and He also knew exactly what awaited them. His promise of peace was not a sentimental wish or a temporary comfort. It was a declaration of what He Himself would secure through the cross. The peace He gives is not the fragile peace the world offers—the kind that depends on circumstances going well, people behaving as we hope, or life unfolding according to our plans. His peace is rooted in His unchanging presence and His finished work. It is a peace that holds steady even when everything around us trembles.

The disciples would soon face fear, confusion, and grief deeper than they had ever known. Yet Jesus spoke peace into their hearts before any of it happened. He wanted them to understand that His peace was not the absence of trouble but the presence of Himself. After the resurrection, when He appeared to them behind locked doors, His first words were the same: “Peace be with you.” It was as if He were reminding them that what He promised in the upper room had now been sealed forever.

We often find ourselves in moments when the future feels uncertain or when our expectations of how God should act do not align with what He is actually doing. Like the disciples, we may long for a kingdom built according to our desires rather than His. Yet Jesus still speaks the same words to us: “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” His peace is not something we achieve; it is something we receive. It is the steady assurance that the One who overcame death itself is with us, for us, and working in ways we cannot yet see. His peace remains our anchor, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the peace you first gave the first disciples, and for giving it to us. May we always give you thanks as we experience peace amid challenging situations. Thank you also for being with us as we seek to live our lives in this constantly changing world. Amen.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

At the Crossroads

-
Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16 ( NIV ) 16  This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths , ask where the good way is, and walk in it, And you will find rest for your souls . But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.   Devotion: Life often presents us with crossroads—moments when we must make choices that shape our future and define our character. It is in these moments that Jeremiah 6:16 calls out with clarity and wisdom: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” These words offer both a promise and a warning, urging us to pause, reflect, and make informed choices. Jeremiah spoke these words to a nation that had wandered far from God, forsaking His ways for paths of their own making. The “ancient paths” refer to the tried-and-true principles established by God—paths walked by th...
Read more

I Lift Up My Eyes

-
Scripture: Psalm 121:1-7 ( NIV ) "I lift up my eyes to the mountains —where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life." Devotion: Looking in the Right Direction The psalmist begins with a question we've all asked in moments of fear, uncertainty, or desperation: "Where does my help come from?" Notice he doesn't begin with an answer but with honest seeking. He lifts his eyes to the mountains—perhaps looking toward Jerusalem , where the temple stood, or scanning the horizon for approaching danger or deliverance. But the question itself is crucial. In our age of self-reliance and ...
Read more

Depend on Christ

-
Scripture : Colossians 2:8 (NIV) See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Devotion: In Colossians 2:8, the Apostle Paul issues a direct warning to believers, urging them to remain vigilant against teachings and ideologies contrary to the gospel of Christ . He says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” This verse is as relevant today as it was in Paul’s time, reminding us of the subtle and often enticing philosophies that can pull us away from the truth found in Jesus . The world is full of ideas and perspectives—some ancient, some modern—that promise wisdom, fulfillment, or enlightenment. Many of these philosophies are built upon human traditions, cultural norms , or spiritual concep...
Read more