The Power of Peace and Joy

What do you think are the two most powerful things that can steady our lives during turbulent, troubling, trying, tough times?
It is painfully obvious to anyone whose head is not buried in the sand that the world you and I live in is rapidly coming apart at the seams. No matter where you and I turn, we find anxiety-driven, obsessively worried, deeply depressed, fearful, tearful people who are at their wits end regarding the future. Many folks today feel hopeless, helpless and powerless. .
Insecurity, instability, uncertainty and even insanity alarmingly hover over humanity.
So, what can you, me and others do to feel secure as the world turns inside out and upside down?
This is what I have discovered in the Bible, the Word of God.
The prophet Isaiah had a word from the Lord. “The mountains may be removed, and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My COVENANT OF PEACE will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you.” “Isaiah 54:10
During a turbulent and fearful time in Israel’s history, Almighty God reminded His people of His lovingkindness, compassion and His covenant of peace. I love that phrase “covenant of peace.”
Motivated by lovingkindness and compassion, God made a covenant of peace with His people.
A covenant. An irrevocable contract. A non-negotiable agreement initiated by the Almighty. The Lord is a covenant keeper, never a covenant breaker. He keeps His Word to all generations. The earth may fall apart, but God will keep His covenant of peace! I say amen to that!
Because God is compassionate, His lovingkindness and peace will not be shaken or removed. That is a good Word for you and me today! So how does God do the above?
Through His Son Jesus.
The two things I asked you about in the opening of this article are peace and joy.

• Peace and Joy…. from Jesus Christ.

Jesus was preparing to go to the Cross to fulfill the Father’s will. In John chapters 13-17, the Lord shared with His followers pivotal truths they would need to endure and overcome the trials, tribulation and persecution they would experience after Jesus’ return to heaven.
Imagine how the disciples felt when Jesus was arrested, beaten, tortured and mocked as He died on the Cross. After His resurrection He would commission them to continue His work of evangelizing the world (Matthew 28:16-20).
Lord, how will we pull that off? They killed you the Son of God.  What about us? How will we overcome the persecution that is sure to come on us? I wonder how you and I would have felt.
The disciples would remember two powerful truths Jesus shared with them.
“Peace I leave with you, MY PEACE I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, let it not be fearful. “John 14:27
“These things I have spoken to you that MY JOY may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:11
Jesus to His disciples: My Peace. My Joy. In You. You will have peace and joy no devil or man can touch.
My fellow followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, no one can steal your or my peace or joy (John 16:22) because it is HIS PEACE AND HIS JOY! Do you know anyone big and bad enough to rip the Son of Almighty God off? I cannot think of anyone or anything!
Jesus’ peace and joy is a double-barreled shotgun that takes out the devil, his demons and the anti-Christ culture surrounding Christians. Who or what in this fallen world can stand against the peace and joy of Jesus in His faithful followers! No power in hell or on earth can!!!!!!
Take a quiet, holy moment or two and let what Jesus said sink in. You and I can and will endure, persevere, rise above and overcome any trouble that comes our way because of Jesus’ peace and joy in our hearts and minds!!!!! I say hallelujah and glory to God for this truth!
I can tell you from personal experience and the experiences of countless Christians I have ministered to over the years, that even when all hell breaks loose, no weapon of the evil one or the world can disrupt the peace and joy of Jesus in a believer’s life.
What can touch Jesus’ peace and joy? Absolutely nothing!
If you are struggling today, battling the enemy of your soul, choose to stand firm with faith in the power of Christ’s peace and joy!
Jesus’ peace and joy. I vote for that. How about you?
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come with joyful shouting to Zion. With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy and sorrow and fainting will flee away.” Isaiah 35:10
A Word For Your Week:  Live your life with the peace and joy of Jesus in your heart and mind.