A couple days ago an Officer asked me, “What does peace look like to you?”  In these unprecedented days of upheaval to our normal lives, I rather appreciated the invitation to think that through to the point of having to give an answer.

“To You I lift up my eyes, O You Who are enthroned in the heavens!”

Psalm 123:1

Peace looks to me like Jesus on that Throne in heaven. Anyone else on a throne…Nope. No peace. But Jesus, oh, yes! He is the Creator of all that exists. He’s not bound to the created order; He is its Maker! Chaos, sickness and brokenness do not take hold of Him. He reigns over every area of our lives.  His character is mercy. His nature is to care more about us than He does for His own well-being. I find peace when I remember that, although God is not of the broken creation, He is not far off. He is very near to us. His “throne in the heavens” means that nothing on this earth can limit His involvement and concern.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains; does my help come from there? (Nope.) My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. He will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your Keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.”

Psalm 121

I don’t have a clue what’s going on with this virus, or why or how this is happening to the entire world. But I do know Jesus. And He’s the Maker and Ruler. Peace is His Presence; His powerful mercy over us in devoted, perfect love and care. There is no social distancing for Jesus. He’s shoulder to shoulder with us every minute, guarding our going out and our coming in. We can rest entirely in Him. Jesus is the Keeper of your life. He really is!  You can trust Him.

Action

The first moment of your day, lift up your eyes, your face to God.  You don’t have to know words to say. Just lift your eyes to God.  He sees you looking toward Him.  He loves that!  His Face is smiling at you. Your face turned toward Him brings Him joy. Find peace in that.

Prayer

Almighty God, You are the King of universe. Thank you for always seeing me throughout my days. I look to You Who are full of mercy and power and love to fill my heart and mind with peace, because I know You are with me. Your control over this crazy world is based on perfect love.  Help me to keep my eyes fixed upon You and to cast all my cares upon You, the only One Who can keep my life. Amen.