DIVINE PEACE
- Dr. Paul Dhinakaran
Once upon a time, there lived a preacher who was poor. He heard about the auction of a cupboard in a nearby auction centre. He had only sixty rupees but wanted to purchase it so that it could be used in the church. When the auction began, he eagerly shouted, “sixty rupees”. However, his neighbour who disliked his life of faith in Jesus Christ thought, “Let me see as to how his faith fares!” and he shouted, “seventy rupees”. The preacher had no money to participate in the auction anymore. However, on his travel back home, he rejoiced in the spirit thanking and praising God. “Whether I get the cupboard or not I am happy that my Provider - Jesus Christ, is with me always. It is possible for Him to grant me 100 such cupboards.” With this thought in mind, a river of perfect peace flowed in his heart. As he was about to step inside his house, he happened to see his neighbour bring the cupboard triumphantly on a bullock cart towards his house. He tried by all means to take the cupboard inside his house but the door of his house was short by an inch.
After struggling for more than half an hour, he saw the preacher and questioned, “Would you take this cupboard for sixty rupees? I guess it is of no use to me.” The preacher gladly offered the sum and took possession of the cupboard shouting “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” Just then a thought flashed in his mind. He shouted “Thank You Jesus!” again. The reason for praising God was this. “My heavenly Father knew that I had sufficient money to purchase the cupboard but nothing more to pay for transporting it. Therefore, He made my neighbour pay for it.” Such is the peace of God that grants you the victory (John 14:27)
You may have to face problems, tribulations, worries, sickness, taunting neighbours, mockery, treacherous acts of wicked people and so on. However, amidst all these tormenting situations, the peace that passes all understanding descending from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will flow gloriously in your heart helping you to focus your eyes only upon Him. In all these things we shall be more than conquerors through Him who loves us. On this day, God is going to grant you divine peace that would fetch you the victory. Be of good cheer! Jesus Christ will abide with you always to grant you victory in everything. Those who ask the Lord diligently will be filled with His perfect peace.
Jesus Christ alone is the source of divine peace because He is the ‘Prince of peace’. Jesus Christ is God incarnate in flesh who lived on this earth for thirty three and a half years. He understands our every problem, the agony and tears it bears. He took the punishment that brought us peace upon Him by allowing Himself to be crucified on the cross at Calvary (Isaiah 53:5).
He traversed through the path of temptations, trials, tribulations, agonies, sufferings and tasted every form of bitterness for our sake to grant us peace in the midst of such turbulence. Our peace is destroyed on account of our sins, transgressions and iniquities.
A drunkard feels guilty of losing everything in life and of being shunned by the society. However, our loving Lord knows what it means to be rejected by the society because He himself has gone through that path. He was betrayed, denied and left to face loneliness by His disciples. He understands the punishment that is due for the guilty. He was wounded for our transgressions.
Jesus Christ was crushed and bruised for our sins. He who was blameless allowed Himself to be branded as a ‘sinner’. On the one hand, Pontius Pilate declared in public, “What crime has this man committed? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty” (Luke 23:22). On the other hand, it is recorded in the Bible, “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads. and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him” (Matthew 27:39, 41, 42).
Therefore, Jesus Christ alone can cleanse us of our sins and grant us His divine peace. He who offered Himself as a sacrifice is ever willing to come to your rescue to make you live and prosper.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
I praise and thank You for taking the punishment that should have lawfully come upon me. A thousand tongues will not be sufficient to sing praises of Your glory. I fall prostrate at Your feet thanking You for all Your goodness, kindness, mercy and grace. You alone are the source of divine peace. Please fill my heart with Your divine peace that I may sojourn on this earth filled with joy. Prosper all my efforts for this day and enable me to experience Your unconditional love for me every moment of my life.
In Your precious name I pray.
Amen.
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