Peace Be With You

Our great and loving God speaks words of comfort to our weary souls.  And I have this sneaking hunch that a great many of us are weary.  And busy.  And distracted.  Maybe even frazzled—yes, right now as we step up to the threshold of Christmas.  We’d love these days to be an oasis where we can drink in God’s peace and rest a while in the strong arms of his goodness.  We need to be still.

But can we?  Can you?  Your biggest challenge right now might be simply this:  to block out all other sights and sounds and thoughts, and fix your focus for two minutes on God’s refreshing, reorienting words of hope.  Read these verses slowly, and read them out loud:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble… Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:1, 10).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you” (Isaiah 43:2).

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2).

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).