Verse of the week -- John 14:27

Peace.

The very word seems to calm and dispel anxiety.

The world craves peace. International peace, peace on city streets, peace in homes, peace on a universal and individual level.

Sometimes I mistakenly assess peace based on outward appearances. Words spoken, gestures made, promises vowed, apparent situations. But true peace is in the heart. God-given calm.


The world can only promise peace based on some mistaken, temporal, external standard. God's peace is wholly other as He promises in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."


I find His peace when I stop striving for world-based standards. His peace comes from His consistency. Peace needs a stable foundation, not a handshake with fingers crossed or mumbled exceptions. Peace must be eternal and unconditional to be true peace.


The peace that God gives does not in any way rely on us either. Its depth of power comes from His depth of stability. He does not need anything from us to be any more of who He is.


Peace from others or from the world is often contingent peace. It is not true peace because it is punctured with "ifs." We will have peace if we have financial security. We will find peace if we succeed in business. We will discover peace if our house looks like a magazine cover. Peace will come if we are physically fit.


Fortunately, God is not a God of "ifs" He is a God of "just because." Just because He is who He is and has already accomplished it all.

He is patient just because, not if we try harder.

He is loving just because, not if we seem worth loving.

He gives peace just because, not if we have muster up enough faith on our own.

That's true peace.

Thank you, God, for your amazing peace that passes understanding, that fills every crevice left by our doubt, that walks through every valley and faces every challenge with us. A peace not dependent on us, but completely wrapped up and explained in Your character. Thank you, Lord. ~Amen

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

~John 14:27~

Enjoy other's verses as they Walk with Jesus.