Where are you most secure, and where do you feel the greatest comfort and peace? We all need a refuge, and a safe place that settles us. No matter how powerful we may feel, or how protected we might think we are… there comes a time when we are uncertain, and fear creeps over our wall to invade our strongholds. This safe place is the sanctuary that no man can provide us, but in Jesus Christ we find all we need… even to the ends of the earth.
“And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.”
Micah 5:4-5 ESV
This scripture speaks of the coming Messiah, and if we look to Jesus Christ for our security and peace we will find that He is the fulfillment of this prophetic word. In our darkest hour, or most fierce storm, He shepherds us into His strength, and becomes the realization of our solace.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 ESV
Ann and I used to have a black lab named Jake, and he was the most wonderful dog that either of us had ever had the privilege to know. Jake watched over our children in the yard, and would boldly confront any dog, or stranger, that tried to come near them. Yet, as brave as he was he had a weakness… loud noises. Whenever there was a thunder storm, or 4th of July fireworks display, his safe place was Ann’s closet. He would get as far back into it as he could, and then curl up in a ball. Being black he was hard to see without turning on the closet light. So the brave guardian of our home, and our children, had moments of fear. The truth is… we all face fear at some point. The question becomes one of where do we go for comfort, security, and peace. Where is our closet?
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
We go to Jesus, but not all interruption to our peacefulness comes from fear, sometimes it is from such things as unfinished business, or a disruption to our daily routine. When Simeon saw Jesus in the Temple He was dealing with unfinished business. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that until he saw the Messiah he would not die. So he could not rest peacefully until at last he saw Jesus… then, suddenly, there he was!
“”Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.””
Luke 2:29-32 ESV
Jesus is our safe place, the source of our rest, peace, and security. He gives us the joy and peace of God that we seek, no matter what the cause of our separation from it. We might be experiencing fear, discomfort, or unsettled business, but the Prince of Peace is always prepared to shepherd us away from it. Are you ready to lean on Him in those times of lost peace? Are you ready to be shepherded into God’s Joyous Word, and the promise of comfort?