John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

March 23rd, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Jesus promises us peace in this world: “in Me you may have peace.” The announcement at His birth carried the same message: “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, / To guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79, italics added). Paul takes up this same concept in his letter to the Romans, as well as in every other letter he wrote. “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:3). “To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 1:4).

Jesus clearly wants us to have peace. The source of this world’s tribulation is Satan, who is trying to antagonize us. The Greek world for peace contains an idea of not so much the absence of conflict or difficult times but peace right in the middle of them. It’s like what we call the eye of the hurricane. Scientists who study such storms often fly special airplanes right into a hurricane to measure the wind velocities. The airplane is thrown up and down by the rain and wind. It is very turbulent, until it finally breaks through into the eye of the hurricane. In that center, there is no turbulence, and in fact, it is both clear and sunny.

For believers, Psalm 46 is helpful: “Be still, and know that I am God; / I will be exalted among the nations, / I will be exalted in the earth!” (Ps. 46:10). To be still means to be quiet, here, because God is God. All objections to His sovereignty are to be silenced. As a general rule, God wants us to cooperate with Him, but there are occasions when man must stand aside completely and leave everything to God Almighty. There is our answer. No matter what troubles may come, God’s people are eternally secure, protected, and at peace, when they are still and look to Him.

“LORD, we look to You to carry us through the storm this day.”