Archive

	December 23, 2008 True Chrismas
	December 16, 2008 Have we recognized the Savior?
	December 8, 2008 Blessing in Pain & Struggle
	December 3, 2008 A Thankful Heart
	November 16, 2008 Busy, Busy, Busy
	November 10, 2008 Walking with God
	October 31, 2008 Beauty of Character

Weekly Devotionals

January 5, 2008
A Time Such as This

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

We have never lived in a time such as this where the universal community has been weighed down by the prevailing economic and financial crisis. If we pay attention to the global political situation it is clearly evident that nations are at war with each other. When we assess the spiritual status quo of the world around us we are faced with the sad reality that people are increasingly inclining towards the gods of individualism, materialism and corruption. Socially speaking, never have we lived in a time such as this wherein the institutions of family and society have witnessed a breakdown in values. Never has there been a time such as this time wherein our foundations as a whole have been so shaken and when an uncertainty of such magnitude looms large. Are we on the brink of disintegration?

Entering the New Year at a time such as this may be no different to some of us that care less for the world around; however, there are some of us that stand significantly concerned and affected. The question one may ask is, ‘does the future seem bright or bleak’? The words of Jesus in the gospel according to St. John 14:27 come in the wake of the caution Jesus throws at his disciples about tribulations and hard times. Jesus’ impending arrest and crucifixion was a time when all his disciples would be scattered and later tested for choosing to follow Christ. However, He doesn’t leave them without words of comfort and hope- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

We may not experience physical tribulation like Jesus’ disciples or like thousands of helpless Christians in Orissa. However, we battle a crisis of a different kind, viz., economic, political, spiritual and social. Are we not psychologically affected as a result of this crisis we are faced with? The temptation to turn to a thing or person for security and aid can seem a very legitimate recourse to take. However, the words of Jesus Christ to His disciples become alive and applicable for all of us today. The peace that He offers us is not something that the world can give; however, it is the result of a continual walk with Him. It is the outcome of our decision to let Jesus Christ be our anchor in a time such as this. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid is the encouragement that He sends us out with into the New Year.