DEVOTION – DAY 290

John 14:27 “The Lord’s Peace”

 

John 14 :27 “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.”

 

The world we live in can be stressful. Many people have jobs that have targets and deadlines to meet. Many people have to try to live up to expectations that others may have for them. So, many people look forward to holidays so that they can take a break and get away escape from their normal stressful lives and to find some peace. The holiday break is great. But the trouble is that once the holiday is over, reality returns. Their daily pressures and work stresses are still there and the peace that they enjoyed evaporated quickly. The peace that they enjoyed on their break was short-lived. This is the type of peace that the world gives us, that Jesus refers to in v27. The peace of this world does not last. It is dependent on circumstances.

 

The peace that Jesus referred to in v27 is much deeper and lasting. Jesus knew that no one is at peace with God because of their sins. God hates sin. God judge sin. And Jesus knew that God, the Father, had sent Him, to come to earth to be born as a man. Jesus had come to die on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind. All who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior and His redemptive work on the cross, will find that God had forgiven their sins. Instead of God’s judgment and wrath for their sins, they have peace. They have fellowship with God. They find an inner rest of the spirit. Even when all around them is chaos, Christians can find an inner peace. This is the peace that Jesus gives and leaves with us – the peace He was referring to in v27. With this gift of His peace, we do not need to be troubled or afraid.

 

We know someone who was facing many trials. She and her husband had health issues. Then, a family member was diagnosed with a terminal illness and he had financial and personal issues that she had to help solve. On top of that her own business was affected by Covid-19 pandemic. One of her children also faced a crisis at the same time. It seemed that her troubles were endless. But she was able to thank God that she had His peace. She was able to calmly see to each set of troubles as they arise and to trust the Lord to help her. She was able to follow the doctors’ advice and both her own health and her husband’s are now better. She was able to lead her terminally ill family member to receive Jesus as his Savior and Lord before he passed away. She experienced the Lord’s peace. She was not afraid or troubled.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we praise you for you are our Rock, our Fortress, our Strength and the Giver of Everlasting Peace. Please help us to fix our eyes upon You in troubled times and know that You are in control and we do not need to be afraid or troubled. We ask this in holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What is troubling you and causing you to be fearful? Are you feeling stressed? Share.
  2. Will you turn to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to give you His peace? His peace is an inner peace that transcends all understanding.
  3. How has the Lord’s peace in the past helped you to trust in Him in your current circumstances? Share.
  4. What are some ways people try to find peace today but it does not last? Discuss.