John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not
be afraid.
My dear brothers and sisters, I greet you this day with all
the love and joy that springs forth from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Today, I would like to talk to you about one of the most profound virtues we
find in Christ - peace. Not just any peace, but peace that emerges from faith
and belief.
Our Saviour spoke these words, and they reassure us that His
peace differs from what the world gives. It is the peace that quiets our
troubled hearts, provides a sanctuary during our storms, and gives us breath
when the world leaves us breathless. And you ask, how can we access this peace?
The answer lies in one simple yet profound act - believing.
My dear brothers and sisters, believing is not merely
acknowledging the existence of God. Even the demons do that and tremble. (James
2:19). Believing is placing our complete trust and hope in God, accepting His
will, and following His commandments. It is living with the conviction that no
matter what life hurls at you, the Lord, our God, is by your side, guiding you
and protecting you.
Look at the life of Joseph. He was betrayed by his brothers,
sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. Anyone can doubt
God's love or presence in such harsh circumstances. But not Joseph. He believed
in God, and it was this belief that gave him peace amid chaos. Despite the
trials he faced, he could find comfort and strength because he knew God was
with him.
So, what is it about belief that gives us peace?
Understanding this requires us to go back to the very character of God. We
serve a God who is trustworthy and definitive, a God whose promises are
unchanging and whose love is steadfast. "God is not a human, that he
should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak
and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?" (Numbers 23:19)
God's faithfulness is timeless, independent of our abilities
or failures. And when we believe in this God, we find peace. Belief in God
realigns our hearts and minds to the divine truth that He is in control, that
He is our refuge and strength, and that He is working everything out for our
good.
Thus, dear brothers and sisters, to have peace in belief is
to rest in the assurance that you are not alone, helpless, or forgotten. It is
knowing that the God who created the universe and breathed life into you is the
same God who is navigating your life. So yes, life is full of trials, pain, and
uncertainties. But beneath these, there is a river of peace that never dries up
- a peace that you can access through believing in God.
I urge you to dig deeper into your faith, to seek God earnestly, and you will indeed find this peace. And as you walk in this path, remember this: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7). Amen.