The shooting was incessant.

Tanks rolled through the streets, blowing up houses. Fear gripped the people of this third-world country.

Church members had fled to the pastor’s home, hoping for fellowship in their last hours, if not for life itself. But the pastor knew that his house would probably be destroyed as well, so he decided on a drastic measure.

Running into the street in front of the approaching tanks, he called out, “I’m a pastor!”

A head popped up out of the tank turret, and a soldier exclaimed, “Pastor!”

Just as suddenly, he dropped back down into the tank and radioed to those behind him: Don’t touch this house. I know the man who lives here and he is a good person who does good things.

That day, that congregation was saved.

Most likely their own homes were destroyed and their lives thrust into the chaos of war. But they were alive!

Their peace was not the peace of circumstances, but the peace of confidence in God, with the help of their pastor who lived a righteous life before his countrymen.

We are not promised a peaceful outer existence on this earth, but we can have inner peace as we follow the leading of Christ. And eventually, we can experience forever peace in our heavenly home where nothing will destroy us.