‘For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ‘ Jeremiah 29:11(NLT)
‘I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.’ John 14:25-31(NLT)
‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!’ Isaiah 26:3(NLT)
The Bible says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV) (Emphasis added)
While the world seems consumed right now with sickness, anxiety, confusion, financial lack, and everything else caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Lord is still on His throne, and His thoughts are still of peace towards you! In Jeremiah 29:11, this beautiful word “peace” is the Hebrew word “shalom,” which, in addition to peace, also means soundness, welfare, tranquility, prosperity, and completeness.
Allow me to share a story with you today:
“There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked. He had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush, a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize? The King chose the second picture.
“‘Because’ explained the King, deeply touched, ‘peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.’”
God wants the same for you, my friend. God’s primary concern is changing our hearts more than our circumstances (even if He changes those as well). The Lord doesn’t promise an absence of trials in the world, but He does promise us His constant presence; help; and yes, perfect peace! in those trials.
Jesus speaks to your heart, saying, “‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” (John 14:27)
The Bible also promises, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Your peace is complete when it’s fully dependent on Him. He freely gives it to you even in the midst of chaos. In Him, you’re like that mother bird hidden in the rock’s cleft behind the raging waterfall: fully at rest!
Thanks for existing!
from Coronavirus: Find Peace In Troubled Times