In a recent Biblical counseling training class at my church, we delved into the profound benefits of Bible memorization and the importance of embracing the peace that God grants us. One of our teacher mentors passed on a sermon by John MacArthur about Jesus’ assurance in John 14:27: “Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”
John MacArthur, in his sermon Supernatural Peace, emphasizes that the peace Jesus offers is not something we must strive for or manufacture—it is a gift that has already been given to every believer. He states, “Jesus doesn’t say, ‘I wish you peace’ or ‘I hope you find peace.’ He says, ‘I give you peace.’ It is ours. It has been left to us, granted to us, deposited in us.” MacArthur likens this peace to food that is already in our possession. We do not need to search for it or earn it; we simply need to appropriate it—to take hold of it and live in the reality of what Christ has already provided. This divine peace is not like the world’s fragile, fleeting version of peace. Instead, it is an unshakable, supernatural tranquility that steadies the heart even in the most terrifying circumstances. We must also remember that when Jesus spoke these words, he was in the midst of the most stress any human had ever experienced, and was hours from being mutilated and in agony on the cross…and he knew this was coming.
Another of our mentor/teachers at the counseling class also passed on the powerful real-life example found in the story of Sapir Cohen, an Israeli woman who endured 55 days in Hamas captivity. Though she had not been deeply religious before, in the weeks leading up to the October 7 attacks, she felt compelled to memorize Psalm 27. Unbeknownst to her, she was storing up spiritual strength for an unimaginable trial.
During her captivity, the very words of Psalm 27 became her lifeline. The psalm begins: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” These words met her in the depths of suffering, offering the courage to endure the horrors of her situation. After I went home and read Psalm 27:3, it hit me hard how that psalm must have carried profound meaning for her: “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”
At one point, her captors even noticed something different about her—a light, a peace, that was inexplicable given her circumstances. One of them even asked her to pray for them. What they saw was not human strength but the supernatural peace that Christ gives to His own. Now, as far as I know, Sapir Cohen is not a Christian. But I think (and I pray) she may be close to accepting Christ.
We know that in the last days, the Jewish people will experience a great awakening to their Messiah. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 11:25-26, “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so, all Israel will be saved.” God is at work in Israel, even through unimaginable suffering. The Bible tells us that in the end times, the Jewish people will become the greatest evangelists the world has ever seen (Revelation 7:4-8, Zechariah 12:10). Perhaps what is happening now is part of that preparation—the veil is being lifted. God’s love for His chosen people has never wavered, and He is drawing them to Himself, just as He promised.
Sapir’s story is a striking illustration of John 14:27 in action. The peace that sustained her was not from the world; it was the very peace of Christ. Just as MacArthur teaches, this peace was given to all Christians as a gift I think this peace was already hers through the living words of God, living in her mind from psalm 27—she did not have to create it or search for it, only to take hold of it in her moment of greatest need, maybe creating a desire or hunger for a permanent residence for her, if it hasn’t already happened . Her experience serves as a powerful reminder: When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, He is preparing us for the trials we cannot yet see. When we claim the peace Jesus has already given, we can endure what seems unbearable. Just as Sapir found strength in the words of Psalm 27, so too can we take hold of Christ’s peace—fully ours, already given, waiting only to be embraced. And as we see more and more Jewish people turning toward God in their suffering, we can pray with hope and expectation that the Prince of Peace is drawing them to Himself. I encourage anyone reading this, to read Psalm 27 in entirety right now.
You can also watch Sapir recount her story in this video:
Hostage in Gaza Remembers Psalm 27 While in Captivity