Peace Beyond Understanding

TITLE: Peace Beyond Understanding
DATE: December 20, 2019

Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: John 14; 1- ESV - “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 

Most people would like to know what the secret is to stop their troubles from ruining them and bringing them  to the cliff of collapse.

So many suicides, so many desperate individuals out there, so many drugs being taken for escape, so much alcohol being consumed to dull the terror of trouble. They are all just paths which promise to provide assistance for any individual who is searching for someone, or something which has the ability to provide some sort of salvation.  

Scripture maintains that Jesus also provides an answer, a solution, a suggestion. And what is that spiritual pathway we need to hear, understand and believe in? What is the solution? Jesus supplies the answer when He says "
“You believe in God, you believe in me." It's as simple as that.

The Lord Jesus Christ, who beat Herod at his own game, Who confused the Roman governor, Who made fools out of the Jewish priests, Who left the Pharisees and Sadducees standing there with their mouths open, Jesus Christ, who conquered Satan, who defeated the grave, can, if we allow Him, also beat our troubles.

I didn't say inconsequential, meaningless troubles. For to us, they are important difficulties. But Jesus who has done so much can also do much for us. He who has conquered the major difficulties of this world, can also conquer our difficulties as well.

If we trust and believe in Him.

There once was an Oriental philosopher was a slave. He was given by his master a bitter melon. Lokman, for that was the slave’s name, took up the melon split it open and ate it all.

Amazed, the master asked, “How was it possible, for you to eat so terrible a fruit."

 Lokman replied, "I have received so many favors from you, I was not surprised to receive such a bitter fruit. I knew it does not happen often and I also know for You to do this, you would have had a reason.”

The master was impressed by the slave’s answer he set the man free.

So it is for us. If bitter fruit comes to us, can we doubt God's love? I think not.

God the Father Who gave His only Son to die for us, so that all who accept Him as Lord of life, still cares. Jesus still cares. Jesus is still with us. Jesus still helps us win over our troubles or deals with them as the case might be.

The fruit of life may be bitter, but God is still with His people. Let not your hearts be troubled. Amen.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, being a Christian does not make me immune from life’ bitter fruits. On the other hand, with You as my Savior, I know that life will be composed of that which will allow me to believe in You there is forgiveness, joy and a peace which passes human understanding. For all You have done, and will continue to do I praise Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html