So often we find ourselves in disappointment, disarray, dysfuntion, or some other "dis."
We look for peace to replace the chaos, noise, and mess that we are feeling in our souls at the time. Or maybe it is none of those things but we just find ourselves disconnected from a feeling of wholeness, feeling incomplete or lacking. It feels like something is missing, so we keep searching for "it." We look for "it" in people around us, in being popular, in hobbies, in buying "stuff" in stores, in so many directions and we can really only find peace in one place.
Peace is not a "thing" to strive for, toward, or to buy. The reason we struggle to find peace sometimes is because it is a person- the person of Jesus Christ.
The book of John gives us great insight into this. In John 14:27, it is written in the words of Jesus,
“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.”
He has already given us what we need- a gift of Himself. He said He would never leave us nor forsake us. That means that is is eternally with us, offering us His peace.
Why don't we have it then? Why don't we feel it? If Jesus is continually with us, we should feel it all of the time.
Yes, we should. Then why don't we? He said HE would never leave US. That doesn't mean that WE will never leave HIM. Just like the ancient Israelites, we ebb and flow in our affection and obedience to Him. And Just like He was ever-present with the ancient Israelites, even through a cloud and a pillar, He is with us. Of course, it looks a little different today because the ancient Israelites didn't have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as we have the ability to accept now.
Yet, as a people, we are still fickle and led astray by whims and emotions and tickling of the ears. We have the same God but also the same devil. The devil is using the same old tricks and schemes and we get snared. The reason we get snared is because WE have strayed. We have not held close enough to the presence of Christ. So, like a lost child in a department store, we need to find our way back where we belong. That is in His presence.
"In Your presence, there is fullness of joy." ~ Psalm 16:11
"4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[a] My disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love. 10 If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. 11 “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." ~ John 15:4-11
For more on Jesus as the person of peace:
https://www.gotquestions.org/He-Himself-is-our-peace.html
I hope you were blessed with this reminder. I know that it was the epiphany that I needed the other day while I was listening to DeMarcus. I heard "Peace is a person" and my brain just stopped listening for a moment because my spirit was testifying to the statement's truth. Below is the whole devotional so you might be blessed. You might hear something else that touches your spirit at the right time. Thank You, Jesus, for everything. 🌹💗🙏
Devotions with DeMarcus-
Posts
