A prophet said these words to Asa, the great grandson of Solomon (2 Chronicles 15:2). The chapter shows that these words were heeded. It had been a time when “there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress” (verses 6,7).

That has been the scene in much of the world in recent years. Where is today’s prophet of God to give a challenging message? Asa listened to God’s prophet and they “sought him (God) with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around” (verse 15). But there was no Asa in the days of Jesus and we read in John 15 the emotional words of Jesus to his disciples, “If you were of the world the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world therefore the world hates you” (verse 19).

The next words of Jesus are challenging. “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (verse 22). Now think; the words of Jesus and others that God has sent with His messages can now be read in every language of the world. Therefore no one has any excuse for ignoring God and His word.

Jesus concludes by saying, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace (of mind). In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33). Let us take to heart the words of Paul that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:7) Let us remember, the LORD is with us while we are with him.