Peace, Our Inheritance

“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 ESV

The bustle of Christmas dinner preparations hasn't been enough to drown out the grief I continue to feel over the unexpected passing of my dear cousin (the kind of cousin that’s like a sister, if you know what I mean). This month, at the writing of this devotional, it has been six long months since her death. I've been in constant prayer for her daughter and parents, and without shame, I have added my own name to this prayer list. It's been tough. Thanksgiving, her birthday, her daughter's birthday, Christmas and the coming New Year has compounded my personal grief. As I opened my eyes this morning, thanking the Lord for another day, I thought about you. Not by name or relationship, but from a compassionate and empathetic heart for those who are themselve, dealing with sadness, grief, loss, hopelessness, loneliness, sickness, etc.

The only remedy that has helped me deal with this time of grief has been holding tight to my inheritance in Jesus. According to John 14:27, the peace of Jesus, is one of many precious gifts Jesus gives us personally. It's not a peace you can get anywhere else; it was His and He gives it to us. When I am feeling restless and my outlook is dim, I give in and allow my thoughts to run wild with the idea of what Jesus' peace looks and feels like. I imagine the moment of His crucifixion, being consumed with unimaginable pain. Yet, He remained sound and steady in heart and in mind, all anchored in peace. The isolation and rejection He endured, but He remained submerged in peace. Then I read this Scripture again, "my peace I give to you." In this moment, I feel like Jesus' peace is right there in front of me, being bestowed upon me, it is a gift from the Prince of Peace that is now mine.

Right now, if your heart is troubled. If your circumstances look bleak, receive Jesus’ peace. This Scripture is red letter text, which means, it is recorded in the Bible as words Jesus spoke directly. In this text, Jesus is speaking to the disciples. He’s telling them many things because He is preparing them for His death. They’ve come to know Him and believe in Him. What security they must have felt in His presence. He’s telling them; however, that He is preparing to leave them, and He offers them His peace.

I must pause right here. Jesus is telling the disciples about their inheritance. The peace that they’ve seen Him exude throughout their time with Him. The peace that they are going to see Him walk in as He approaches the cross. The peace He that rests on Him as He dies on the cross. That peace He is giving them. He says that He doesn’t give it the way the world does. Jesus’ peace is not temporary. It’s not only present on the good days, when the sun is shining, and food is abundant. His peace endures and remains even in the worst times. He goes on to tell us to not let our hearts be troubled and to not be afraid.

Christmases, Thanksgivings, birthdays, anniversaries and the like are going to come, yearly. The sense of loss may lighten but may never truly go away. In the days, months and years ahead, we will surely face heartache, disappointments, pains and loss. What comforts me the most about Jesus' peace is that His gifts are guaranteed. How? His character guarantees the reliability of His peace. He is true and faithful. I can rely of His peace for this rest of my life and so can you.

When facing the most trying moments and most devastating outcomes we have the assurance that God is still in control. He is still the resurrector of all dead things. He is the life-giver and sustainer. He restores and rescues. He is the strength of those who are weak. He settles and reassures hearts and minds. This is the peace that Jesus gave us.

If you want to walk in Jesus’ peace today, would you pray with me?

Let’s Pray!

Heavenly Father, I am worried and anxious. I am overwhelmed in my circumstances. I need your peace right now. By faith I receive your peace that calms the winds and the rains. The peace that the Scripture says surpasses all understanding. I surrender my chaos to you now. I trust you as Sovereign and I trust your love for me. I ask that you strengthen me to hold fast to your peace now. Do what only you can do to bring peace into my situation. In Jesus Name. Amen.