November 13, 2013
John 16:33
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
Where can we find peace when life upsets us? Family challenges in the lives of children and grandchildren have given my wife and I some concern over the last few weeks. Every family has situations that occur and bring challenges into their lives. This was enough to keep my dear wife from falling asleep at a decent time for a couple of nights. But she told me this morning that one night recently when she couldn’t sleep, she got up and read her Bible, especially some of the promises concerning God’s care. As she committed the situation to the Lord in prayer, His peace came over her and she was able to go to bed and sleep soundly. And since then, not only has the worry not been keeping her awake, but she has been able to go about everyday chores with the peace and confidence that God is in control and will work things out for His glory and in the best interest of those involved.
What was the key for my wife to go from worry to peace? It is His Word, the Bible! Jesus said in 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.
The Bible is the record of God’s dealing with man. In the New Testament, especially the gospels, the actual words of Jesus Christ are recorded. But more than that – and as it says in II Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…..” And Jesus, being “…the Word of God…” (according to Revelation 19:13), He is instrumental in all revelation comprising the Bible! So what I am saying is that when Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you…”, that is not limited to what He had just spoken in John 16, or even to what is recorded in the Bible as the very words from His mouth, often printed in red. It means any part of the Bible is His words spoken to us!
Do you see the link between the Word and peace? Jesus gave us the Bible so that in Him we may have peace! Yes, we will have trouble in this old world. After all, who is called “…the god of this world…” (II Corinthians 4:4) and “…the prince of this world…” (John 13:1; 14:30)? Satan, the devil, of whom Jesus said in John 10:10, he only comes “…to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” That’s trouble for everyone in the world! As it says in Job 5:7, “…man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” But the Lord also said, “…be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He overcame it all when He rose from the dead – the world, the devil, sin, death and hell! Jesus Christ is the victor! And when we put our faith in Him – that He died for our sins on the cross – we enter into that victory! And part of that victory is peace in a world of trouble!
But how can we know all about the victory? How can we know that we can enter into His peace? By reading the Bible and its many promises concerning the subject! For instance, one of my wife’s favorite scriptures – and mine also – is from Philippians 4:6 and 7:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
Instead of worrying about it, pray about it! Commit it to God – whether trouble concerning yourself (“supplication”) or others (“prayer”) – and do it “with thanksgiving” – thanking Him by faith for the outcome yet to be revealed. That’s our part. His part is giving us “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding….” We may not be able to understand why we are experiencing such peace in the midst of our particular troubles, but there it is, guarding our “hearts and minds”! And how does this peace come? “…through Christ Jesus.” Peace comes by reading His Word, knowing what He has said in it, and believing it is true! The mechanics of it all may remain a mystery to us. But the reality of it has been proven again and again in the lives of believers through the ages.
Are troubles and worries crowding into your life? Read God’s Word! Believe His promises! You will experience His peace!