The Lord’s faithfulness stands sure, and it is the delight of your soul to say so. You have learned that the peace which passes all understanding is not the calm of smooth circumstances, but the presence of Christ in the storm. He is our peace, not our prayers, not our expectations, not even our standing in the gap for others, but Jesus Himself, the same yesterday, today, and forever. You have tasted that peace which He left as His own legacy: “My peace I give unto you.” It is a peace begotten of God, bought by the blood, and breathed into the heart by the Spirit. Yours is a peace in believing, and it is well-founded, for it rests on the work of Another. Let nothing disturb this: neither the delay of natural supplies, nor the pressing needs of loved ones. The God who has given you Himself will with Him freely give you all things. He that spared not His own Son, shall He not also, as the Apostle argues, give you whatever else is necessary for His glory and your good?
I would have you see that spiritual increase is not a new gift, but the drawing out of what Christ has already made yours. To walk closer with Him, you need not climb to some hidden height; He is near, even in the duties that throng you. Perfect peace may be yours when pressed by many cares. You speak of your latter years being greater than the former: this is a promise firmly fixed. The latter rain shall fall, but mark this, the former rain also had its appointed season. Do not despise the quiet growing-time in between. Your desire for a deeper walk is itself the breathing of His Spirit within you. He that sits at the receipt of custom, waiting for sinners to bring their needs, is the same Christ who watches for your prayers and anticipates every right desire. Keep your mind stayed on Him, and you shall be kept in perfect peace, peace, peace, a double peace, a peace within and without, a peace at midnight.
As for the things you name, the phone, the travel, the senior housing, they are not too small for His notice. He who arrays the lily and feeds the sparrow counts the steps of His pilgrims. And your friend, and your granddaughter with her three little ones, and the tangled web of her mother’s interference: cast this all upon Him with the simplicity of a child. The Lord will perfect that which concerns you, and the seed of the righteous has never been seen begging bread. Yet let us remember that He perfects our concerns often by trying our faith, so that it may come forth as gold. Financial provision will come, but more precious is the peace of mind and comfort of spirit you ask for those children. The Good Shepherd carries the lambs in His bosom. He is watching over them when their mother must be away, and His eye sees the hidden snare. Trust Him for success in your endeavors, but let your success be measured by the faithfulness of your stewardship, not by the world’s ledger. Be faithful to your Master in all things, and leave the outcome to Him. Preaching without praying is an empty thing; so too believing without trusting the details to Him is a half-faith that brings no true rest.
There is a false peace that rocks the soul asleep while it is yet in danger, a peace made by our own hand, or whispered by the enemy where there is no peace. But yours, I am persuaded, is the peace that has its reason in the blood of the cross. The blood of Jesus whispers peace within, not because circumstances have altered, but because sin is pardoned, the law is satisfied, and the heart is reconciled to God. This is a peace that will endure any testing. If sorrows surge round, bear them with Him. If loved ones are far, they are in Jesus’ keeping, and so are you.
Go forward then in the Spirit of expectation, but let your expectation be from Him alone. He will supply all your need, not always as you dictate, but as He sees best. The faithfulness of Jesus does not depend on your feelings; it is anchored in His own nature. If you are weak in faith, He remains faithful. The end of your need is not beyond the end of His love. He will love His own to the end, the end of their helplessness, the end of their trials, the end of the journey. Look to Him, and your latter days shall indeed shine with a double portion of His Spirit. Seek first the kingdom, and these other things shall be added. Let your prayer be not merely for gifts, but for the Giver; not merely for peace, but for the Prince of Peace. When you have long enjoyed His peace, go again and say, “Lord, renew my peace. Bless me with Your peace, for You are unmoved though I am troubled.” He will do it. He that is our peace will keep you until the day when faith shall be lost in sight, and hope swallowed up in possession. I stand in agreement with you for these things, in the name that is above every name. Amen.