Peace - 1


I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart, and the peace I give you isn’t the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27 NLT

We live in a world that searches in vain for lasting peace yet nations war against nations, neighbours war against neighbours, families fight and refuse to forgive. Strife abounds and peace seems to be something one just wishes for but never hopes to find.

Jesus promised us a gift of peace. A gift is something that is not very much use unless it is received. It can be given with the best intentions but unless the recipient takes it, is not really a gift. Thinking about this my mind goes immediately to one of my favourite verses which says, “Let the peace that comes from (or is given by) Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.” (Colossians 3:15). How wonderful! The thing that we have to do in order to receive this gift of peace is to let it rule in our heart, the very seat of our emotions.

Peace is the opposite to turmoil and for us to know whether we have received this peace we have to be tested. Remember the time that Jesus and the disciples set out to cross the lake? He was fast asleep in the back of the boat when a sudden storm arose. The disciples were obviously very afraid. The Bible says that they shouted for his help. I can’t help thinking that it is very possible that Jesus too could have felt fear because we read in Hebrews 2:18 that he was tempted in all points as we are. But Jesus chose to let peace rule in his heart as he spoke to the storm to be still. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” Yes it takes faith to stay in peace when the storm is raging all around us, but we can choose to do that because Jesus has given us his gift of peace.

Is there a storm that is robbing you of your peace today? Will you put your faith to work and let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Speak to your storm “peace, be still”? Then work at staying there.
You can do it!

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your gift of peace. I receive it today and I choose to allow your peace to rule and reign in my heart over every circumstance that would seek to rob me of my peace. Help me to speak words of faith and life that will still this storm, knowing that you are in control of my life. Amen.