Living In The Light

November 18, God Longs To Give You Peace

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
—2 Thessalonians 3:16 LL 339.1

I ask you, do you in this early morning hour recognize Christ? He does not want us to be as a band of mourners moving in a funeral train, bearing upon us the marks of care and perplexity and hopelessness. He wants us to commit the keeping of our souls to Him. He wants us to put our trust in the naked promise. But, you say, I do not feel like it. Tell me what value there is in feeling! if it keeps you away from your only Helper and you turn to erring mortals for help. Is feeling stronger than the faith which it is your privilege to exercise in God? Feelings change with almost every circumstance; but the promises of the Eternal are as solid rock. Let us build our house upon the sure foundation and rivet our souls to the eternal Rock, the Rock of Ages. If we do this, we shall find that it will become habitual for us to remember that we have a Companion. Wherever we are, we are to talk with God. This is the way Enoch walked with God. He talked with Him. He recognized the divine Presence. . . . LL 339.2

There is no dependence to be placed in humanity. Where do you get your mental food? Do you get it from the newspapers of today, which are filled with the most disgusting and horrible representations? We have something better than this, and we are to show to the world that we know the Source of power and efficiency and hope and comfort. The grace of God, which passes knowledge, is imparted to us and to all who will believe His Word. He longs to satisfy our soul’s desire with peace and grace and with His love which passeth all knowledge. LL 339.3

The Lord can take every one of us in His embrace, for His arm encircles the race. Let us remember this. After Christ (in behalf of the human race) had taken the necessary steps in repentance, conversion, and faith, He went to John to be baptized of him in Jordan. “John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized ofThee, and comest thou to me?” Jesus answered, “Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” When He came up out of the water, He knelt down on the banks of the Jordan and offered a prayer such as had never before entered heaven. . . . (Matthew 3:13-17).—Manuscript 144, 1901. LL 339.4

Further Reflection: : How can you focus more on the promises of God rather than on your feelings when hard times come? LL 339.5