Can you trust God for today?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.        John 14:27

At one time Bulstrode Whitelocke was England’s ambassador to Sweden. The night before he was to leave for Sweden, Whitelocke spent the night in a country inn near the ship. Whitelocke could not sleep. He tossed and turned, worried about the task before him. A traveling companion, a kind of valet-bodyguard and friend, slept in the same room with him. Sensing that Whitelocke was troubled, he gently asked. “Do you not think that God governed the world very well before you came into it?”

The ambassador replied, “Without any doubt.” Then said the companion, “Do you not think that God can and will still govern the world just as well when you have left it?” “Surely,” he said, somewhat taken aback by the inference.

“I hope you will not be offrended,” countered the friend, “if I ask if you cannot trust Him to run the world while you are still in it, just as well as after you are gone.” Whitelocke got the point so he turned over and went to sleep.

We stubbornly hate to admit defeat. We hesitate to say, “I can’t solve this – it is beyond me.” Our stubborn independence keeps us estranged from God and strangers to sleep and peace of mind. Worry refuses to acknowledge that God is bigger than the giants in our lives.

It is amazing how much peace comes to your heart when you remind yourself that God neither slumbers nor sleeps. “Peace I leave with you,” said Jesus, adding, “My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).”

When you believe that, you, too, can say, “Good night!” and go to sleep.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21