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.** John 14:27 (NIV)**
How do we learn to see the Light of Jesus with eyes of faith through our darkness? How do we walk in a manner worthy of the great God we serve, worthy of this great Gospel we profess? Remember, we have not only been saved from the way of destruction but also saved for the way of peace and good works. Scripture tells us we are to walk as our Savior did – through His power and for His glory and for our good. This is the way of peace even if it is perhaps extraordinarily difficult. His peace passes all earthly understanding. His peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. All of Heaven is filled with the sweet enjoyment of His peace, love and joy. And we can experience this on this side of His-story as well. Indeed, He is where our focus is to remain as we walk this dusty earth. Heaven in our hearts and earth under our feet.
The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Isn’t it super easy to become weary and lose heart? And Jesus tells us not to be afraid rather to lean into His power and His peace which passes all human understanding. He is a “with us” God, Who delights in doing His children good. Remember as well, all too often we must regain a proper focus on what is indeed good. God’s economy is upside down from the worlds. Believers give to get. Believers die to live. Just as Jesus did. It is upside down from the world’s way - totally other-worldly in its nature.
As a child of the King we can know He loves us with an everlasting love and that all He allows is pregnant with purpose. And the one who walks in peace is enabled to embrace even with joy - what He allows even in the unutterably hard - as He is making us more and more like Jesus. We are not to kick against His best for our lives by simply seeking ease, prosperity or whatever – all of which are passing. Remember Jesus rejoiced in His great sufferings because He focused on the outcome of His soul’s struggle and travail and that outcome, thankfully, was bringing many men to glory. Heaven is our home, earth our sojourn.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.** Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)**