These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
The peace of God – is that simply a dream we have?
An old song my dad used to sing while working in his garage comes to mind, “Make the world go away, get it off of my shoulders. . .” (Eddie Arnold, 1966, and my dad, who I think did it better.)
Unfortunately, the world doesn’t go away, and those of us who work in heaven’s embassy – for that is what the church is here on this old world – seem to be under special attack sometimes.
Ever since Adam and Eve gave the devil control of this planet, those of us left here who are faithful to God are ambassadors to the lost, and our home is actually part of heaven, not here. Just like how, when a country sends out ambassadors and sets up embassies, those embassies are considered sovereign to the country they represent.
It can be comforting to think of the peace of God as being here within us. As we see the sickness, the pain, and the suffering that sin has caused everyone, and when we are wounded ourselves in the daily battles, it is good to know that this is temporary, and that He will give us His peace while we work.
I think that sometimes that the peace of God is like a wisp of fog within us; it floats and envelopes our minds and helps us to feel rested. If we fight it, it leaves; if we accept it, it’s there, surrounding and cooling us from the heat of our daily tasks. You can’t put your fingers on it, or pick it up, or fill a bowl with it, but it fills you within.
On those days when so much seems to be bad in the world, the thought of a cooling bit of mist feels relaxing, like the cool just before twilight in the summer, or the early morning fogginess. It refreshes us, it gives us energy and it sends us on our way, thinking of the care of Our Lord.
“A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might . . . Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection of His character. . . “
Ellen G. White