Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27
Many may tell you that joy is the absence of sorrow and that peace is the absence of war. For the believer, joy and peace abound because of God’s loving presence. It is fellowship with Him because of the work of Jesus on the cross. It is a relationship that is available because of Christ’s payment for the sins of all who believe. Hearts need not be afraid because He gives His assurance of salvation. There need be no spiritual unrest.
It is this awareness that quiets the inner turmoil… that settles the heart trembling because of suffering or impending danger. Though others around you may be afraid, do not fear. Jesus came “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). In his New Testament Commentary, William Hendriksen describes the peace of Jesus as a legacy (something He leaves behind) and a treasure (a gift of great value). When it enters the believer’s heart, anxiety is driven out. “The world may give outward pleasure, physical rest and enjoyment, honor, wealth, but never that inner assurance which is the reflection of the smile of God in the heart of his child.”
In months ahead, some politicians will seek to have you make decisions based on extraordinary promises or on fear. Do all that is possible to learn truth so you can make wise choices. Do not let worry envelope your body. Jesus, the Lord God, finished His work on earth, but He has never forsaken you. Study Scripture; pray for God’s guidance and His wisdom—and not for yourself only, but for those who would lead America. Then leave the rest to Him.
Today’s Verse: John 14:27
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Colossians 2:1-14
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
