I wonder how many Christians have really come to understand the great fact that peace is our inheritance. Peace is what Jesus has left us. It is fundamental and cannot be taken away from us by any circumstance. That is what He means by,
I do not give to you as the world gives.
How does the world give peace? If you were troubled and you went to a doctor who was not a Christian and asked him,
What can I do to gain peace?what would he tell you?
Take a trip. Go to Hawaii. Get away from it all.In other words,
Change your circumstances. Go to a place where nothing bothers you, where everything is peaceful around you. Then you can be at peace.
But Jesus says,
I give peace right in the midst of trouble, right in the midst of distress and turmoil and heartache and pressure. I can impart peace to your heart right there, and not as the world gives.Why? Because we can return to that basic relationship we have--
You in Me, and I in you.Out of that comes the guarantee that He is working out His purposes. He will bring us to the end of the trouble. He will still the storm and quiet the waves. We rest in the boat, content, knowing,
No water can swallow the ship, where lies the Master of ocean and earth and sky.That is peace.
Peace I leave with you. [Therefore],the Lord adds,
do not let your hearts be troubled.That is addressed to you! It means you do not have to be upset and anxious, weary and worried.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.How? By returning to that place of rest. Return to the phone booth and rest there in the confidence that Superman is within and will work the situation out for you and will accomplish His purpose through you.
By Ray Stedman
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