On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." John 20:19

Not so long ago I read about a lady who had driven about 50 miles to visit an old friend.

They had a wonderful time. Unfortunately, when it was time to go home, she found out her keys were locked in the car. In the town that would be no problem, but she was way out in the country, and nobody could be called on to help.

As a last resort the lady called her husband.

She knew and prepared herself for some husbandly observations, like, "What were you thinking?" and "women driver" comments. She did hear those, along with a few extra, but she also heard him say, "You stay put" -- as if she had an option -- "and I'll come on out and bring you my set of keys."

As she stood by the side of her locked car, she continued to talk with her sympathetic friend. They discussed how her hubbie would never, ever let her forget this little incident. It was during the course of their sensitive sharing that her friend tried one of the back doors and found it to be open. Worried, the friend commented. "If your husband was going to be upset with you for having to make the drive out here because you locked your keys in your car, just how angry is he going to be when he finds he made the trip for no reason at all?"

To which the lady replied, "I don't think he'll be upset at all. That's one worry I can take care of." And with that, she stepped over to the car, locked the back door, and slammed it shut.

Unfortunately, we can't take care of most of our problems by pushing a button and slamming a door. Most of our worries don't seem to be so easily solved.

True, our friends may say, "Hey, hang in there. This will be all right. Things will work out just fine. You'll see. You're worrying about nothing." Occasionally, they will add, "Hey, things could be worse, you know" and then they tell the story of somebody who had things really bad.

Now, I know, and you know, that all those speeches and sayings are offered with the best of intentions. But those sayings, no matter how sincerely they are given, are -- in the final analysis and when all is said and done -- pretty empty and meaningless. They are as helpless as you are.

In contrast to our helplessness is the Savior.

It is He who comes to us, even as He came to the disciples on Resurrection Sunday, and says, "Peace be with you." What makes His words extraordinary -- what gives them a special punch -- is that Jesus has just conquered death and grave.

Say that again. Jesus had just conquered death and grave.

And it stands to reason if Jesus can take care of those two, He can help you with any other pain or problem you might have. He can carry it with you; He can make it go away, or He can turn it into a plus. In short, He can bring peace to your problems.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, a sinful world is going to cause problems for its citizenry. I give thanks Your power and grace can fix those problems and give me peace. Grant that I may believe and trust You and Your promises to help. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 32    Psalms 51    John 3:16-36

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