Peace, Be Still

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, NKJV).

Have you ever been there? Doing what’s right, living life as best you know, when a storm of life hits? And you’re afraid?

Fear

Fear was a common emotion for me as a child. New at navigating life, storms and the dark scared me. Playing “Ain’t No Booger Bears Out Tonight” with my siblings scared me. I’m pretty sure life itself scared me.

My Heavenly Father knew I needed guidance away from fear. He gave me to brave parents who purposely taught their children not to fear.

Picture a typical summer evening thunderstorm in Georgia. It’s dark outside. The sounds of rain on the roof and booms of thunder bring fear to my heart.

Now picture Dad’s green wingback armchair at the living room window with two children on their knees looking out the window, over the back of the chair, as bolts of lightning pierce the sky.

Dad stands next to us, joyfully talking about the storm and its beauty. His peace and calm is contagious. The storm rages outside where it’s dark, but I’m inside, with my Dad, safe in his care.

Storms

All of us face storms in life. They come as health crises, loss of loved ones, or shattered dreams. Some are easy to overcome. Many are harsh and difficult.

When storms arise, what do we do? It’s easy for fear to overwhelm us. And grief can paralyze us. But our Father is right beside us, wanting us to allow His peace to invade our hearts.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3, KJV

In the Gospel according to Mark, we read the story of Jesus teaching all day before getting into the boat with His disciples to cross the sea. Jesus falls asleep; a storm arises; and the disciples cry out in fear (Mark 4).

Even though the Lord Himself was with the men in the storm, His presence wasn’t enough to keep them from being afraid because they weren’t trusting Him. They simply saw the storm.

When Jesus, Creator of all things, spoke to the storm and calmed it, the men were amazed. His grace in that moment was great. He had pity on their humanity and calmed the storm for them, stopping their fear.

But Jesus also gently reprimanded His followers. “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40, NKJV)

Peace in the Storm

One of the amazing things about our Lord is His grace to carry us through the hard times, and His blessings when we need them most. He helps us trust when it’s hard for us by reminding us over and over He’s with us.

Last week one of those blessings from our Father came my way.

I was reading a devotion titled Peace in the Storm out of a devotional titled Great Is Thy Faithfulness from Our Daily Bread. It was exactly what I needed to hear at a time when the waves of life’s storm hit once again.

“In fierce storms,” said an old seaman, “we can do but one thing, there is only one way; we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”

And so it goes for us. When life’s storms hit, we have but one thing we can do. Aim our bow at the winds howling toward us, trust the One Who is trustworthy, and in peace, be still.

A 19th century pastor commented on the old seaman’s statement as follows.

This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you; and then you can do but one thing; there is only one way. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Even prayer fetches no consolation. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may—winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers—no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm, and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness, His covenant engagement, His everlasting love in Christ Jesus.

Richard Fuller.

Stand Firm

Jesus assured us we would have difficulties in this world. But He also assured us we would find our peace in Him.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33, NKJV).

Scripture, God’s word to us, prepares us for life’s storms. His word tells us to stand firm in the middle of our trials and troubles.

Ephesians 6:13 says, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (KJV).

But what is the whole armor of God? Going to Scripture we learn what God has for us that will help us stand strong. Truth, righteousness, the good news of peace with our Creator, faith, salvation, God’s word, and prayer. (See Ephesians 6:10-19.)

Like a ship preparing for a storm before going out to sea, we need to dig into God’s word to be prepared for what the days here hold. If we hide His word in our heart during the easy times of life, His word will come back to guide us when life’s storms hit hard.

Be Still

When Moses was leading God’s chosen people away from their enemy, a time came where all seemed to be lost. But God gave Moses assurance the people needed to hear.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:13-14, KJV

And so it goes for us. We are to hold our peace, stand still, and let Him fight for us. We can drop anchor and let the storm wage around us. But we must never lose focus on the One Who saves us now and for eternity.

The battle here is harsh, and the storms are many. But our Savior lives and fights for us. He’s in the boat with us. He doesn’t leave us to fight alone.

Whatever storm you are in or whatever may come your way, may you find God’s grace sufficient to stand firm. May all of us keep our eyes on Jesus our Lord as we go day by day. The battle is real, but so is our Lord. And He is greater.

The One Who tells us to be strong and of good courage also tells us He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). Today, even if one of life’s storms is harsh around us, let’s choose to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as He gently says to our hearts, “Peace, be still.”

(Photos: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen at Tribble Mill Park, October, 2022)