How to have peace (2) - All The Word for Today Daily Devotionals for 2024

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.’ John 14:27 RSV

Jesus said His peace is a gift. That means you don’t have to work for it and you cannot earn it. You cannot psych yourself up for it, and you cannot try really hard to obtain it. No, it’s a gift you must accept by faith. Jesus also said that His peace is unique from what the world provides. In the last 3,500 years, the world has only been free of war for 286 of them—that’s less than 9 per cent. This world’s peace doesn’t last. Jesus told His disciples, ‘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 RSV). He spoke those words just before He went to the cross. So, God’s peace is not regulated by circumstances—it’s an ‘inside job’. Have you ever heard someone say, ‘I need to get away’? This is sometimes known as a geographical cure. You think if you leave where you are and go somewhere else, you will have peace. But it doesn’t work, for wherever you go, you take yourself with you.

Have you ever been so tired that your body collapsed into bed, but your mind wouldn’t turn off? Well, you can get away and find peace! How? Jesus gives us the solution: ‘“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”’ (John 16:33 ESV). Where can you find peace? Jesus said, ‘In me!’ Today, spend time with Him.

SoulFood: Matt 5:3 Luke 18:9-14 Isa 57:14-21 2 Sam 7:18-29