A Word of Peace in Troubled Times

by Mathew Block

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in Me.” – John 14:1

It’s easy to be troubled at a time like this. Health experts are warning that Canada is on the cusp of a second wave of COVID-19. The economy is faltering. People are out of work. Anxiety and stress are leading to new or worsened mental health problems for many—as is our decreased ability to spend time with family and friends.

You can add increasing polarization and the rapid decline of civil discourse in North America to the list of troubles afflicting us today. Oh, and various international tensions on the rise.

Perhaps you feel abandoned. Perhaps you feel like God has gone far away—that He isn’t listening to the cries of His people. That He isn’t listening to you.

Jesus knew that His disciples—and we—would face moments like these. “I will not leave you as orphans,” He promises. “I will come to you” (John 14:18).

And He does come. He comes in His Word when you hear the Scriptures read in church. He comes when you read them yourself. “Peace I leave with You,” He says. “My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (14:27).

Jesus knows your many fears and griefs, and He bears you up through all of them—just as He bore your sins upon a cross so many years ago. He has already overcome the world. He has overcome death and the devil and your own sin. He will guide you also through these troubled times.

Jesus does not ask us here to pretend we never face hard times; He asks us instead to trust in Him in the midst of these sorrows. “In the world you will have tribulation,” He says. “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33).

Jesus knows your many fears and griefs, and He bears you up through all of them—just as He bore your sins upon a cross so many years ago. He has already overcome the world. He has overcome death and the devil and your own sin. He will guide you also through these troubled times.

That word of peace is one we are called to share with the world around us. For in spite of the many challenges we face at this time, our mission as the Church remains the same as ever: proclaiming Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). It is the death of Christ which rescues humanity from death. It is the resurrection of Christ which promises new life.

Our current situation may come with obstacles to the Church’s proclamation, but it does not fundamentally change the work itself. We are called to proclaim the Word of God—to proclaim the Gospel—to a world desperately in need of good news.

This issue we bear witness to that Word in several ways. Our feature, “The Enduring Word”, reflects on the recent publication of a complete translation of the Bible into its 700^th language. As part of the context of that piece, and in honour of the Reformation anniversary, we also consider Martin Luther’s landmark translation of the Bible into German, as well as the work of modern-day Lutheran translators of the Bible. Find out why Bible translation mattered so much to Luther—and why it matters today too.

Our second feature, “Gentleness and Respect”, encourages us to approach the discussion of controversial subjects in a scriptural manner. Our society is increasingly polarized and unwilling to engage in civil discussion. So how do we break that pattern and share the Word of God in ways that honour and respect one another? What does Scripture have to say about how we should handle difficult conversations—whether within the church or without?

It is the death of Christ which rescues humanity from death. It is the resurrection of Christ which promises new life.

Our third feature, “Called During COVID”, highlights the challenges of beginning pastoral ministry in the midst of the pandemic. The current moment has forced all of our pastors to rethink the basics of how to reach troubled people with the Word of God; imagine now the uncertainty of beginning that ministry for the first time during COVID. We share one new pastor’s journey into pastoral ministry here.

I pray that these reflections on the Word of God, as well as our other articles and columns this issue, will be a blessing to you in this time, whatever trials you may face. Remember: God is with you in your sorrows. He is with you in His Word. Let that Word be your peace.

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:5-7

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Mathew Block is editor of The Canadian Lutheran and communications manager for the International Lutheran Council.

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