Scripture: John 14:27 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.
Devotion: Our verse for today is what Jesus said to the disciples as He was preparing for His departure from this world. One of the final things that He gifted them with: His peace. This is not worldly “peace.” It is not routine. It is not short-term. The peace that Jesus gives us is a permanent gift.
The New Living Translation reads John 14:27 this way, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” I think my favorite part of this translation is the sentence that says that the peace of Jesus is not something that the world can give. How often do we try to find peace in our lives from the things of this world? Whether we are striving to make more money, make sure we invest enough to have the retirement we desire, or looking for ten minutes of quiet to simply scroll through our phone or read a book, we often look for peace through the means of this world. And it will fall short every single time.
The peace that comes from knowing our Heavenly Father and having a personal relationship with Him is unlike anything that we will find in this world. When we embrace that peace, we need not be afraid of the things that this life throws our way. We don’t have to have peace that is fleeting and circumstantial. Instead, we can fully embrace the gift of peace of mind and heart.
Reflect:
- Where in this life do you often find that you are often seeking peace?
- Have you ever thought about the peace of God as a gift?
