Love and Peace

Love and Peace

Bible: Psalm 16:1-11

Reading

You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead . . . You make known to me
the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence (VV.10-11).

It always amazes me the way love and peace—powerful, unexplainable peace (PHILIPPIANS 4:7)—can somehow fill us even in our deepest pain. I experienced this at my dad’s memorial service. As a long line of sympathetic people passed by offering kind words, I was relieved to see a good friend. Without a word, he simply wrapped me in a big hug. His quiet understanding filled me with the first feelings of hope during that difficult day, a powerful reminder that I wasn’t as alone as I felt. Joy, as David describes it in Psalm 16, isn’t just a decision to bottle up pain during hard times; it’s more like a gift we can’t help but have when we hide in our good God (VV.1-2). We could react to the pain that loss brings by distracting ourselves. Sometimes we think other things, people or stuff will keep the pain at bay. But sooner or later we’ll find that trying to avoid our pain only brings deeper pain (V.4). Or we could turn to God, trusting that the life He’s already given us— even in its pain and even when we don’t understand it—is still good (VV.6-8). And we can rest with Him, knowing He will carry us through our pain and give us real joy that nothing will be able to take away (V.11).

GOD’S LOVE CARRIES AND HOLDS US
THROUGH OUR PAIN.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries