"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 (NIV).
Peace has been in some instances described as the "absence of conflict"! However, others have described peace, as, "tranquility in the midst of storms"! For example, when the first Christian martyr, Stephen, was being dragged to his death after his defence of the Gospel of Christ, "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his kneesand cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7: 59-60).
It is quite clear here that in spite of the storm raging around him, Stephen was at peace. A famous poem by Rudyard Kipling, goes: "If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you..Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it..!" In other words, to be at peace is not the absence of storms, but the ability to rise above their very nature.
As he was being dragged to his crucifixion, we know the Lord was at peace. For prior, once when the disciples where in a boat with Jesus that was being rocked by storms, upon rushing to him in great fear, after he had "rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mathew 4: 39-40).
Today, you could too could be experiencing storms of a sudden nature. Maybe all around you there is confusion and uncertainty. There might be a situation that is not clear and vague in spite of all your efforts. You could be in the middle of a concophony of voices pulling you in every direction. Maybe in your hands lays a medical report with grim news. But be at peace. For you have faith in the Lord Jesus who will calm all the storms around you!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today, in spite of all the storms around me, I am at peace because of the faith I have in you, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
