Today's Word of Blessing

GOD GIVES PEACEStella Dhinakaran

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.    (John 14:27)

Dearly beloved,

On 21st May 1986, I lost my precious daughter who was 17 years old in a tragic car accident. After this tragedy, I was about to preach for the first time. That morning, I prepared my sermon with much prayer.

As I was about to leave for the meeting, I heard as if someone was saying, “Stella, what are you going to preach there? Can you say that God can do miracles? He did not perform a miracle for you. You have lost your daughter. Then how can you preach that the Lord is good?”

I knew it was the voice of the devil who wanted to prevent me from preaching the Gospel. At that moment, my heart was shattered and tears started welling up in my eyes. Immediately the Holy Spirit told me, “Go with confidence. I will grant you the necessary strength to preach.” Since I shed my tears at the feet of God, He filled me with His Holy Spirit in an abundant measure.

When I got up to preach, I was scared whether I would break down. I thought, in that case, the people would be disappointed. But the Lord strengthened me and used me mightily that day. After the meeting, a sister pushed through the crowd, came to me and hugged me. She said, “Sister, recently I lost my child. So I thought that I would not do the Lord’s ministry again. But your message was of great consolation to me. The Lord has now given me the confidence to do His ministry.”

The Lord says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The Bible advises, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7).

As mentioned in the above Scripture verses, the Lord of peace Himself will grant you His peace and comfort you. He has already carried all your sorrows on the cross (Isaiah 53:4). He has swallowed up death for ever (Isaiah 25:8). So kindly do not be worried. He will build up your family and turn your sorrow into joy.

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

You have swallowed up death for ever. You have carried all my sorrows on the cross. Restore comfort to my soul and strengthen my faith. Let your peace rule my heart. Wipe away my tears and turn my sorrow into joy.

I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.