At Peace in the World

There is unrest all around us but that doesn’t mean we have to be anxious or fearful.

Jesus told his disciples of a time when there would be wars and rumors of wars, pestilence and famine. A time when the hearts of men will fail them because of fear. But the message didn’t stop there. Jesus went on to say, Stand strong!

“Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won’t know what to do. ²⁶ People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.” Luke 21:25-26 CEV

Jesus message to us is never one of fear – it always focuses on faith and peace. The night before His arrest these were the words to His disciples.

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.'” John 14:1 CEV

Throughout the evening He continued to speak hope, peace and faith to them. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew it would be frightening and unnerving.

“  I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:27 CEV

What Jesus was sharing with His disciples wasn’t a “head in the sand” mentality. Quite the opposite. A head in the sand outlook ignores what’s happening, a head in the world sees what’s happening and feels hopeless and helpless. But a head in God’s word sees what God says to do in turbulent times – fear not, have faith, be at peace.

“ I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world” John 16:33 CEV

Jesus spent His last night, the last supper, telling His disciples about the Father. His message to them was one of God’s goodness.

In His final hour before arrest, Jesus spent His time telling the Father about His disciples. His final prayer was for us to know the Father’s love.

“ I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. ²¹ I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me… ²³ I am one with them, and you are one with me, so they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me…²⁵ Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. ²⁶ I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.” John 17:24-26 CEV

When fear strikes your heart, listen to the Holy Spirit. He will remind you to “be at peace, Christ has overcome the world”.