Dear Faith Family,

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.

What a delight!  Seated on a folded blanket on the hardwood floor of a cabin home in the mountains of north Georgia.  In my lap was my favorite granddaughter.  She is two.  In front of us was a book about penguins.  She helped me turn the pages as we traveled through the story.

Della was unconcerned about the unrest in our country today.  The coronavirus didn’t even enter her mind.  She had no interest in the political landscape or the coming election.  She wasn’t even concerned about her next meal.  She was perfectly content in the lap of her “PopPop”.  It was a moment of tranquility (for both of us!).

Jesus was the master discipler.  Still is.  He was preparing His disciples one step at a time for His unfolding plan.  John 16 finds us approaching Jesus’ impending death.  The pinnacle of history was just around the corner!  And carefully, methodically Jesus was teaching His students.  Reminds me of Mr. Miyagi and the Karate Kid.  The disciples couldn’t possibly understand what was coming.  And yet they were being trained to step into the plan of God that was right in front of them!  Makes me wonder what He’s training us for?

One nugget of truth that Jesus taught His disciples is found in John 16:33.  Peace is found in Jesus.  It is not found in the circumstances or the people in this world.  It isn’t the absence of tribulation.  No, peace is still in Jesus.

Have you convinced yourself that after the coronavirus is over you will have peace?  Have you made up your mind that peace lies at the end of racial injustice?  Or, have you decided that peace will return after the elections are over?

What about our individual trials?  Is peace waiting at the end of our financial struggles?  Maybe peace is after the surgery is done?  When the relationship is restored?

Need some peace?  Draw close to your Jesus.  He, alone is your peace.  Crawl up in His Word that His peace might envelop you.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, Hebrews 4:14-16.

In His peace,
Pastor Karl