“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
In the summer of 1775, a group of Quakers went to a Friends Meeting in Easton Township, Saratoga County, New York.
Many of the men’s hearts were troubled. There were reports of roving Indians on the warpath.
Zebulon Hoxie, the patriarch of the Meeting, sat beside Robert Nisbet, a visiting Friend, who had walked through the forests for several days to meet with them.
Robert Nisbet was a kindly man, and he knew well the fear that lay heavily on the hearts of the Easton Friends. They had stayed in their peaceful homes even though their neighbors had all fled to the larger settlements where they hoped for safety from the Indian raids.
The visitor spoke: "The Beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long." His voice faltered and then went on, calmly and tenderly: "And how shall the Beloved of the Lord be thus safely covered? Even as the psalmist says: 'He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.' He continued to preach on peace in the Lord.
Suddenly, above the windowsill, appeared the tips of several moving feathers. Then an Indian chief appeared in the doorway, looking with piercing eyes at each Friend in turn to see if there was any weapon present; but the Friends were entirely unarmed. A moment later, other Indians stood beside their chief. Yet the Friends sat on, without stirring, in complete peaceful silence. At last, Zebulon Hoxie lifted his head and met the full gaze of the chief. No word was spoken, just a peaceful smile.
Minutes passed, and then the Indian's eyes slowly fell. He signaled to his followers, and each slipped silently into a nearby bench. Then began one of the strangest meetings ever held in the Society of Friends. Not a Quaker stirred, and the silent Indians sat peacefully with them. At last the Friends on the facing bench shook hands solemnly. The meeting was over, and the Friends greeted their visitors.
Then the chief spoke: "Indian come to kill white man. Indian come, see white men all sit quiet: no gun, no arrow, no knife; all quiet, all still, worshipping Great Spirit. Great Spirit is Indian, too. Then Great Spirit say to Indian: 'You must not kill these white men!'"
Then the chief took a white feather from one of his arrows and stuck it firmly over the doorway, saying, "Indians all friends when see this feather." Then he turned and, with a sign to the others, led the way into the forest while the Friends watched in silence - except for Robert Nisbet's quiet words: "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust."
Only the Lord can give peace. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we have peace in Him because we trust that He died for our sins.
“Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?” – Gerard Majella
God’s Word: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2016, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN