“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled.” (John 14:27, NASB)
How many times have you seen this happen while playing golf—a player in the group in front of you driving the wrong direction down the cart path? He pulls up to a reasonable distance and says, “Hey, did any of you pick up a pitching wedge on the last hole?”
Golfers are always leaving stuff behind. A head cover or a towel might not be that big a deal, and you will just check with the cart guys afterwards to see if someone turned it in. However, if it is your trusty wedge or brand new $350 range finder, you’re driving back to get it! There are some things that we just cannot play very well without.
Despite having heard a few Jesus golf jokes, I am pretty confident Jesus was not a golfer. That means when he leaves something behind, it is ours to have. We do not have to worry about him coming back down from heaven on a golf cart-shaped cloud to take things back.
So, what happened to that peace he gave you?
God is still in complete control and has your best interest in mind even when it does not feel that way.You remember… that feeling you sometimes had before 2020 happened. Peace is a fruit of the spirit. As you read in today’s verse, Jesus promises to give it to you, despite your level of neuroticism. It is just one of many qualities of heaven that he loves to pour out in our direction.
Peace is not circumstantial. It can be had in the midst of natural disasters, pandemics, social unrest, financial uncertainty, and political upheaval. “Be anxious for nothing,” the apostle Paul wrote, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
My prayer today for you is that, no matter what punches the enemy is throwing your way or worries and anxieties you are feeling, you know that God is here and he is with you. He is still in complete control and has your best interest in mind even when it does not feel that way. He put “the Helper, the Holy Spirit,” inside of you to equip you and remind you that everything Jesus said is true. (John 14:26)
God wants to remind you that no matter what appears to be true in your present circumstances is not the truth about you or your future. You are destined for a glorious inheritance. Do not lose faith or hope. Some aspects of the kingdom of God are yet to be seen, but so much is already here and available to you and me now. “For the kingdom of God is not [of matters of this world], but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
That is why Jesus left part of himself behind.
—
Josh Nelson
November 11, 2020
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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