36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.—
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”—Luke 24:36-49
This passage really hit home this morning. Why am I cast down? Why is my soul troubled and my heart fearful? Jesus stands right here in my midst.
Sudden trial and trouble shook my world this weekend. My heart became fearful, grieved and yes, doubtful. Many of my thoughts were not honoring to the God who is and has been forever faithful to me. The imaginations of my heart ran amuck, and I became undone. Jesus, as only Jesus can, brought peace by reminding me in a way that only I would understand, that He was with me. He is not a God afar off…He is very near to me, and His desire for me is only good continually.
The thoughts that come to my heart that are not of faith are sin. I am not to dwell on them. I am instead to go exactly where Jesus brought His disciples in this passage…to His word. I am to allow His Spirit to open the eyes of my understanding and put truth to the lies that are assailing me.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.—Psalm 119:18
I am to take all of my dishonoring, disbelieving and disquieting thoughts captive to the obedience of my Jesus.
Psalm 37 is very helpful here because it reminds us not to fret—it only causes harm. Many of my thoughts yesterday were not helpful…they were harmful. The truth was not in them. Instead of drawing me near to the very One who could help, they served to separate me from Him. They threw me off balance, encouraged my irrational thinking, gave Satan a foothold, and hindered my ability to receive what I know God wanted to give me…comfort. Beloved…we, as believers, have the Spirit of truth…oh, that in distressing times we would let Him lead us to the altar of our God…to Him who is both our exceeding joy and our comfort in affliction.
"If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.—John 14:15-18
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.—Psalm 27:5
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!—Psalm 27:13-14
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26:3-4
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book,
And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD,
And the poor among men shall rejoice
In the Holy One of Israel.—Isaiah 29:18-19
Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:16-18
