Message by Larry Thacker Jr. from October 8, “The Spirit of Peace”
It has been a challenging time for my wife and me as we walk through this season of our life. At the time this message was prepared, If all goes well, she would be coming home from the hospital at the end of the week. I mention that because it has some bearing on the message for today. We are covering John 14:25-31, with some emphasis on verses 26-27, which read (LSB), “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
As I tried to prepare, I asked the Lord, “How can I speak of peace? I don’t have it.” But as I was praying the day before, He brought to mind the psalms of King David. How many times did he cry out to the Lord for deliverance? How many times must he have wondered why the same God that parted the Red Sea did not step in and save his chosen king? There are some supernatural events recorded in his story, but mostly God shaped seemingly ordinary events to bring about His plan. David was indeed a significant part of God’s plan, but it was a much bigger plan! Our Lord was writing a story to save the world!
How is this relevant? It illustrates one of the ways that the Holy Spirit works in our lives. He brought to my mind His words in the pages of the Bible (v. 26) to remind me of the truth. He is in control. He is doing things greater than we can imagine. In this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world. From this I can find the peace that I am seeking. It is a peace only He can give, and it comes from the Holy Spirit living and working within me. It is my prayer for all of us that we find and hold onto that peace.
