“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
Years ago we boarded a ferry for a three-hour passage. We had no idea what lay ahead. Although the sea was calm as we boarded, the sky looked ominous. Sure enough, within half an hour it turned into a raging storm. The huge ferry pitched and reeled. Vehicles down below crunched into each other. Massive waves rose above us, then lifted us. We prayed and clung tightly to our children. With the skill of the captain, we made it through.
We may start this year in seemingly calm waters, but the sky looks ominous. Jesus said something wonderful … “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” He has given us peace in advance, and it can’t be found anywhere else. He gives it, “not as the world”, for it is available through faith to all who come to Him in prayer. “Let not your hearts be troubled” is a gentle command from our Captain. The storms of the world need not rock the sanctuary of our hearts.
A British Pastor wrote a hymn which became a favorite of the fishermen off the coast of England. As they approached the harbors in times of storm, their voices could be heard singing…
“The Lord’s our Rock; in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Jesus did not define peace by the absence of a storm in our lives … He defined it by His Presence with us. Our Captain will see us safely through the year ahead.
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