Radical peace
This fresh set of Daily Devotions is being provided for our LCA/NZ family, friends and visitors to help us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we face unsettling times. They can be used by families and individuals as part of the LCA/NZ’s Church@Home resources to encourage us and build trust in our Heavenly Father during this season of uncertainty and physical isolation.
by Mitch O-Shea
Click here for your printable verse to carry with you today.
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 (John 14:27).
There’s been a lot of talk about 2020 being a year that we should cancel or start over. But those who trust in Jesus have strong reasons to have a very different point of view.
Everything that’s happening in the world right now has the potential to bring about a whole lot of good that might not have happened otherwise. Whenever hardships occur, it brings people out from the distractions of day-to-day life and leads many to question their mortality, identity and purpose. For example, if people desire peace now, they might discover that Jesus spoke a lot about peace – a peace that is unique because it can’t come from the world but only directly from him (John 14:27, our verse for today). And he first spoke about this during a time of great hardship, when the Jewish people were living under the strict Roman Empire and when the hearts of many people were far away from God – kind of similar to today in some ways. If Jesus could offer radical peace then, he can sure offer it to us now.
So, rather than wishing we could skip this year, we really have good reasons to be hopeful and optimistic about it. Jesus is doing some amazing things in our midst. His Spirit is at work making people aware of their sin and brokenness, and helping them see the free gift of hope and eternal life that can be found in Jesus Christ. What a time to be alive!
Lord Jesus, ruler of all the universe and ruler of my heart, give me your peace and help me not to be afraid of the hardships that are in front of me. Help me to be hopeful and to trust in your love more and more. Jesus, I pray that you would be with my friends who don’t trust you yet, that you would help them see their need for a Saviour, and that you would lead them to your peace. Amen.
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