Peace. Be Still.
Troubled in your heart and soul today? Wondering how you can solve this problem or circumstance or make that hard decision? Perhaps, today, it’s time to slow down and let your mind rest and trust in the Peace-Maker! Remember Jesus saying the words “Peace. Be still!” to the winds and the waves? “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39) The verse preceding that action were His followers crying out: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” He responded to His disciples’ cries for help. Not only was He the controller of the winds and waves through His words and actions, but He was the controller of the winds and waves IN the disciples. “There was great calm!
I know this blog is for someone today. I sense that peace is what you need. And I sense if you’d call upon the Peace-Maker AND let Him be the controller of the winds and waves in your lives, you’d find that peace and calm, too! Remember the disciples in the Upper Room — afraid and hiding? The risen Lord appeared to them. “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “PEACE BE WITH YOU!” John 20:19 There is that peace and calm again.
I remember when three of the ladies in my Life Group were each going back to their doctors or hospitals for more tests to be run for physical issues. Three, at the same time, going through physical storms. Immediately, one of our strong women of faith, quite confidently and boldly said, “Peace be with you. Do not fear. God is with you. Cast down imaginations. Be strong and of good courage because God is for you and you will declare His glorious works.” She was so passionate that it startled some of us, but we realized it was God, Himself, Who made His presence known. He replaced our concerns with His peace.
It’s tempting to scoff at the disciples for their weak faith. But we’re no different. Like the disciples, we don’t always understand what God is doing in our lives. We read His clear promises in the Bible, yet often succumb to concern, fear and doubt when life gets tough. Jesus came into my home that night, and we were calmed by those beautiful words: “Peace be with you!”
I pass THIS WORD on to you today. Perhaps you are facing some extreme volatile situations, potential failures, negative medical reports, relationships that are broken and many other worries and concerns. God loves us, as He loved the disciples. He wants us to know HIS peace. Think of it, those disciples had walked and talked with Jesus. They witnessed miracle after miracle. And while we sometimes want to roll our eyes at them because of their wishy-washy faith, we can be incredibly grateful to them for providing us an object lesson in divine patience. Like Jesus said to them, He says to you and me today, “Peace be with you!” It’s time to get a grip on Who is in control, and it is not us! May we let Him take control of the winds and waves and of all that concerns us today. Peace. Be still!
Let’s join Lauren Daigle in singing her song: “Peace. Be Still”
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
I’m not gonna be afraid
‘Cause these waves are only waves
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than it’s roar
I’m not gonna fear the storm
I’m not gonna fear at all