40 Days in the Word - Power of the Word Sample

Theme | I Will Give You Peace

From | Kay Davidson

Verses | John 20:19-23, Philippians 4:4-7, Colossians 3:12-17, Psalm 4:8

I often try to put myself in the place of the disciples. I set my mind to Calvary, and I see Jesus on the cross. I see the wounds in His hands and His feet and I see the darkness drape the face of the earth as He breathed His last. He did it. He died.

Death. We have been afraid of it for so long. Yet, Jesus boldly allowed death to take Him. He let its cold fingers pull Him to the grave, and it was final. His body lay in the tomb, and the stone rolled it closed.

To the disciples, fear would have been the most overwhelming and understandable response. Jesus, their Master, the Teacher, their LORD, had been crucified and the image of His bruised body on the cross seared in their minds. It was truly finished. Every one of His twelve friends was overtaken by fear.

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews…” (John 20:19)

The door was locked from the inside, but that didn’t stop fear being present. That is, until the only One greater than their fear entered the room; the presence of perfect love drives out all fear (1 John 4:18). The disciple’s fear was conquered by their faith. The first words from the Risen King were “peace be with you” (John 20:19). Jesus saw their fear, so He spoke the assurance of His peace. Words addressed from another world, where resurrection life will never end. He spoke peace to every fear, worry and frustration - for peace is the pathway into the Kingdom He has prepared. Our faith makes the way for us to walk this path as well.

Prayer | Heavenly Father, in this moment we release to You our fear, worry, stress and frustration. We surrender every burden to Your cross. Thank You, precious Jesus, as we receive Your peace. Amen.