I closed last week's message with the Apostle Paul's words to the
Thessalonians,
"Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every
circumstance. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

How apropos was that encouraging word for this past week! There have been so
many situations that needed the intercessory prayers of the Church. So many
that would cause panic, fear, frustration or doubt or, perhaps, all the
above. Paul's reminder is that our peace comes from Christ Jesus Himself,
the One who gave us His peace!

In John 14:27 Jesus tells us,
"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, nor let it be fearful."
And,
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the
world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have over come the world."
John 16:33

This peace is so great and so different from any that would come from
mankind that it is beyond human comprehension. How could anyone facing a
terminal disease or the death of a child or break up of a marriage or a
family found on foreign soil in the middle of a war find peace in the midst
of such circumstance? And yet it has or is happening right now in our midst.
The only place for peace and comfort is in the giver of that
incomprehensible peace.

God's Word tells us,
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests by made know to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

We have the promise of this perfect peace in Isaiah 26:3,
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because
he trusteth in Thee."
Therefore let us,
"Trust in the Lord forever,
For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock." Isaiah 26:4   Amen!