God's Peace

In chapter 14 of John, Jesus tells His disciples not to be troubled (v. 1); He is going to prepare rooms for them (vv. 2–3); He will send the Helper to be with them forever (v. 16); and He is leaving His peace with them, so they are not to be troubled or afraid (v. 27). Jesus was preparing His disciples and followers for His crucifixion, because He knew what was coming.

Every day, as mothers of military service members, we don’t know what will happen. We might glance at the news and wonder if those we love dearly are in harm’s way. We might ignore the news and hope all is well.

Jesus spoke words of comfort and guidance to those who followed and loved Him. He knew their hearts then, and He knows our hearts now.

A peace not of this world

Jesus was promising the Holy Spirit to His disciples in today’s verse. The Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance all Jesus had taught them. He was also leaving the disciples His peace.

Isn’t it interesting that Jesus highlights that this type of peace is not of the world? It’s the kind of peace Isaiah describes:

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

This shalom is the type of peace that denotes fullness of life, welfare, well-being. And then, after this peace, comes the command: “Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” This is a command not to have an anxious, distressed, worried, or disturbed heart — and not to be afraid.

These are exactly the words we as parents of military sons and daughters need to hear.

I will just say I’ve felt all of these emotions. I’ve cried. And then I go back to His Word and realize that above everything, I am to trust God, who knows all circumstances and controls everything. My mind will tend to wander and stress, but this is not putting first my hope in Jesus for His words of peace to guide and calm the heart.