Richard Griffin was Queen Elizabeth II’s personal police officer for fourteen years. Accompanying her on a picnic in the hills near Balmoral Castle one day, they met two American hikers. “Have you ever met the Queen?” they asked, not recognizing the monarch in plain dress. “I haven’t,” the Queen quipped, “but Richard here meets her regularly!” Thrilled to meet someone close to royalty, the hikers then handed the Queen their camera, posed with Richard, and asked her to take a photo!

It isn’t the first time someone has been in the presence of an important person unawares. “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it,” Jacob said after encountering God in a dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:16). And when Philip asked Jesus to show the disciples the Father, Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Like the hikers, the disciples had been ready to hand Jesus the camera, not recognizing He was the One to zoom in on (vv. 10-11).

Like the Queen that day, Jesus hasn’t always been recognized for who He really is. Beyond a “wise teacher” or “great moral leader,” He’s God in the flesh and King of the world (1:14; 18:36). What a revelation it is when we discover it!

When I accompanied my friend to the salon on her birthday, we were delighted by the pampering we received. Soothing music and a personal attendant welcomed us to the tranquil, dimly lit spa. The whole experience was calm, quiet, and restful. I had to suppress a giggle, however, at a sign displayed on a table proclaiming: “This organic hair-care line gives you more than beautiful hair—it gives you peace of mind.”

Even though we know neither hair products nor a salon can bring lasting peace, we often settle for temporary relief when our world is stressful. True peace only comes from one thing—or rather, one person. While encouraging the believers in Jesus in Rome, Paul reminded them, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Sin separates us from God, but Christ’s atoning sacrifice makes a way for us to have a relationship with Him (5:9-10). Jesus offers peace for today and peace for eternity—providing “access into this grace” (v. 1), “the hope of the glory of God” (v. 2) and hope despite earthly suffering (vv. 3-4). Peace with God is more than simply a feeling, it’s a gift we receive through faith in Jesus. Whether we feel close to God or not, His peace is available to us— at a salon or a hospital, in times of serenity and times of chaos.

On September 22, 1959, a devotional article appeared in Our Daily Bread written by Dr. M. R. DeHaan. He wrote about how he yearned for a box of Cracker Jack candied popcorn. His intention was to relate it to the yearning for the Scriptures. But to his surprise, a few weeks later, boxes upon boxes of Cracker Jack popcorn began arriving at his office. His desire for Cracker Jack was satisfied by the loyal readers of his devotional.

Letting the practice of regular immersion in Scripture slip away is always easy. That’s why we need to yearn for something “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 19:10). The psalmist David encourages us to know that God’s words are “perfect, refreshing the soul”; they’re “trustworthy” and full of wisdom (v. 7). He explains that “the precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart” (v. 8).

Dr. DeHaan encouraged readers to make interaction with the Scriptures a habit, something they craved each day, just like sweet popcorn. It’s vital for us as well to develop a habit of meditating and reflecting on the Bible, and responding to its truths, in a regular manner. As God helps us, let’s be like David who said, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight” (v. 14).