July 29, 2024

Dear Friend,

Do you know that our God can give us peace even when there is chaos all around us? 

When Jesus was getting ready to leave his disciples and go to the cross, He comforted them by saying, “My peace I give to you.  Don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” 

If our hearts are troubled and afraid, then our thoughts and meditation will be full of trouble and fear. If our heart, thoughts, and meditation are troubled and afraid, then soon we will speak words that cause the listeners around us to experience trouble and fear. But wait! God promises to give us peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
All who trust in you,
All whose thoughts are fixed on you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Isaiah prophesied these words to urban dwellers who were about to be captured by an army of Babylonians. They had an urgent need for a strong city. Isaiah pressed upon them the need to keep their hearts, minds, and thoughts fixed on God.

We have pressing needs as a nation. I’m not saying that we should put our heads in the sand and hope it all goes away. No! Threats have been staged against our nation, but our response to evil is to lay hold of the peace of God. Don’t fix your thoughts on news media, social media, or reports of destruction. Fix your attention on trusting God and God will keep you in His peace.

Hallelujah!

Pastor Jo