Daily Devotion, November 24, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Philippians 4:6-7.

 

Sometimes an infant or toddler will, as the saying goes, “fight sleep.” Sometimes the solution is for the child to be gently rocked while the Mom or Dad sings a peaceful lullaby.  This child can sleep securely in the peaceful presence of this loving parent.

The “peace that transcends all understanding” which Paul is describing is the nearness of Christ’s presence. The apostle Paul gives several instructions in verse 6 and then reminds the people of God’s gift of peace.

I wish it were as easy to ponder this kind of peace simply as a lullaby, but Paul and his fellow Christ followers were living during turbulent times. Paul was writing this letter from prison to people who were facing persecutions and rejections because of their faith.

Rev. Dr. Michael Brown, Pastor of the Marble Collegiate Church in NY, NY said, “Paul was not writing about a sense of peace that denied the painful realities of life, but instead a peace that existed in the midst of them. It was a sense of peace that was not based on logic, but rather on relationship...not based on the environment around you, but rather on the Friend beside you: a peace ‘that transcends understanding--guarding your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,’ who is with us in our times of bedlam.”

This “peace that transcends all understanding” is strong enough to speak into the winds and the waves, “Peace be still.”  In John 14, Jesus gives the promise of this kind of peace to his disciples prior to his death. And after His resurrection, Jesus greets his disciples with the words, “Peace be with you.”

I believe Paul is saying that this kind of peace is a gift from God through Christ and through Christ’s living presence with us. Christ’s living presence brings peace in the midst of conflicts, in the midst of fear, in the midst of the storms of life. Christ’s peace frees us and enables us to share this gift of peace with others.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help me to remember that in your presence, there is peace. Whatever I am facing today, I know you are with me and will carry me through with the gift of your peace. Lead me to others who need to know the peace of your presence. Thank you. Amen.