The angels spoke to her, “Why are you crying?” they asked. “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put him!” she said. Then she turned and noticed Jesus standing there, without realizing that it was Jesus. John 10:13-14 Phillips
This of all weeks it matters if we have been with Jesus. Our hopes, our experiences and dreams are all focused on one event and one alone. Jesus has come back from the dead. Have you seen Him? Do you know where they have put our Lord? He is calling to you and me. Have you been with Jesus? He longs to be with you!
By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1:4 ESV
We used to keep a little box on the kitchen shaped like a loaf of bread that was labeled “Precious Promises.” I would occasionally pull one out, quickly read it, then slip it back in place. It was cute and made me think of God’s word a little, but I was missing the great and very precious part.
That part has come in the battles of real life. When my back has been up against the wall like this week as we sit in my sister-in-law’s house waiting to hear the next phone call from the hospital. Peace that is more than I can understand is now more true and precious. Peace not given as the world gives is greater than ever. Peace that has walked with me as I clean the house, sort through the memories of old photographs and knickknacks. Peace from Jesus that promises that our real life is hidden with Christ in God.
And then we have been wonderfully surprised as God has been merciful and granted Diane a reprieve. What seemed hopeless to Doctors last week when we flew across the miles has now changed to gradual improvement and they have scheduled for her to come home. “Miraculous recovery.” They are saying and those promises of our great and precious God are more real than ever. Not because of our perfect faith or prayers but because of the power of the grace of Jesus we are each granted promises, each one drawn out of a heavenly promise box at our times of greatest need. How amazing and loving is our Father in heaven. His plans are so much more wonderfully complex and wiser than ours! Thank you everyone who has been praying for us. This Sunday that begins Holy week we are simply overwhelmed with our weakness and amazed at how God’s strength is carrying us along. I love to take photographs of wild flowers so I’ll post a few from my morning walks here in California as a cheerful reminder to us all of the care God has for each of our lives.
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 KJV
After we received the news that my wife’s sister was given only weeks to live, I spent the night tossing and turning. It was not that I was not a Christian or that I did not know God’s promises of peace but transferring that peace from my head to my heart was something I just did not know how to do in that moment. And then Jesus came. No, I did not hear a voice or see any shining light; but suddenly I just knew that my shepherd was walking alongside me. Suddenly the rod and staff of His word comforted my heart.
“My peace I give you.” Imagine the peace which Jesus had when He slept in the storm, or when He meekly accepted arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. That is the same peace that He is now giving to you and I. We are not just getting a cheap imitation or a lower cost version. Jesus is giving us the real thing. He has promised us the exact same peace that He had with the Father. Notice also, that Jesus told us that He wasn’t giving this peace to us in the way the world gives. He won’t offer us something temporary, or ask for us to give it back. His gift is eternal and unconditional just like our salvation!
Maybe your battle is different than ours, but wherever you are He will come. He knows everything we are facing and He tells us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” And then His peace becomes ours!
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