Peace in Difficulty
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, please help me put my faith in you rather than the world. You know what is true, good and right. Help me turn to you when I find myself confused and troubled by the circumstances of my daily life.
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)
REFLECT:
The world is not a peaceful place. There are many reasons this is true, but one area that is particularly challenging about the world is the ever-moving target of what is good and right. Circumstances and who has the megaphone, so to speak, determine what the world values, and therefore, what we are to value. This has always been true and part of why being focused on the expectations of society brings anything but peace. As time goes by it seems like the only thing changing from a worldly perspective is how quickly the target(s) change for what is good and right. Fortunately, as Christians, we don’t have to look to the leaders of the moment to tell us what is important and how to believe. God, and especially though His son Jesus, has shown us the way.
I’ve heard it said many times that God doesn’t change. As I’ve pondered the true meaning of that I’ve wavered over whether a lack of change is good, bad or neither. As I reflect on the confusion of the world with its constantly evolving understanding of truth, I realize that God staying the same provides us with stability and an anchor to hold us to what is true no matter what the world may say. In Matthew 22:37 Jesus says that we are to love God and love others as ourselves. As Christians we can always live that out no matter what our world wants us to believe. God offers the firm truth that so many people in the world are seeking but will never find outside of Him. Embrace His truth and love and find peace.
APPLY:
Do you feel discontent in your daily life? If so, take inventory of the information you consume each day. If the balance favors media full of hot takes with very little of God’s word, consider shifting the balance.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you Jesus for never changing. Thank you for providing us with truth and stability that will help us stand firm in a broken, chaotic world.
WORSHIP: