The Twelfth Day of Advent
“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
Have you ever been in such dire circumstances that you longed for peace and comfort and saw no possible way to attain either? Perhaps many of us have been there, in that pit of despair. But why do we linger there? In this passage, Jesus is assuring us that He gives us peace. But is He the first one we turn to in our longing for relief? Sometimes we do nothing. Sometimes we engage in self-pity. Sometimes we try to fix it ourselves. All of these strategies, and many others of the world, leave us longing still. But the peace our Savior here speaks of, nay, promises, is real, true and present. What a joy to be expectant of Jesus giving you peace in such trying times! Believe that He wants to calm your spirit. Trust Him and do not be afraid.
Shellye McNaughton
