PEACE
03rd Sep 2025
Jesus’ parting gift to his disciples is peace. It is a gift of Himself to indwell and constantly care for us. It’s much more than a lack of turmoil. It’s a constant presence of Himself, who is love, wisdom, peace, and so much more. When peace is present, you lack nothing and face life with a sense of well-being and expectancy. However, when peace is absent, fear quickly seeks to dominate, joy can also disappear, and life becomes a burden.
Recently, I was staying with a friend, and she suddenly became aware she had lost, or mislaid, a piece of jewellery. She had been talking about this precious treasure, and then couldn’t find it. So the search began, and with great energy and persistence, she kept looking in all the places it might have been hidden. It was eventually found, after a lot of time and energy had been applied. It was something of great value, and she continued looking until it was found.
How valuable is peace for you? What do you do when you become aware that it is missing? It’s Jesus' final gift, and its value is beyond comprehension. He is giving you Himself in a personal way, with all that means.
August has been a very busy month for us. We have attended several funerals, as well as big birthday celebrations. With a lot of travelling and visitors, I became aware that peace was not absent, but greatly diminished. I had gone through the motions of daily Bible reading, but had spent very little time with Jesus, and prayer had been about the urgent and immediate.
In Matthew 6:6, in the Message, Jesus tells us to “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace (peace).”
So, I got up very early, sat in my quiet place, and poured out my heart to Jesus, asking for His forgiveness for my busyness and lack of communication. Soon, peace was restored, along with His instruction on my daily routine, and I was reminded of my constant need to value the wonderful gift of His presence.
Value peace, live it personally, and give it away.
Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
Psalm 34:14 says, “Seek peace and pursue it.”
Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.”
by Joyce Sibthorpe
