Thursday: Peace in Your Future
Read: Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27–31
SOAP: John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.
Devotion:
God, our great Giver, gave us the most amazing Gift when He sent His Son to earth as our Redeemer. But in His great mercy and wisdom, God continues to give us good and perfect gifts, not just for today, but for our future.
The disciples had not yet realized the fullness of who Jesus was at this point in John’s Gospel. They struggled to understand what Jesus was talking about when He said that He would be leaving to make a place for them in His Father’s house. It is because of what Jesus would do on the cross that the disciples, and all who believe in Jesus, would no longer be separated from God.
In addition to this amazing gift, Jesus also promised to send a Helper, or the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever. It is only through the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ that we can have access to the Holy Spirit, access to God, access to the resources of heaven, an abundant life on earth, and an eternal life in heaven! Jesus also promises peace, not only for the time when the disciples were physically with Him, but peace for each of us that endures forever.
Prayer:
God, thank You for the gift of peace that You have given me, peace for today and for the future. I am so grateful that You do not give as the world gives, Your gifts are exactly what I need, not just what I want. Amen.