PEACE, BE STILL!
Psalm 107:23-29 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
[24] These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
[25] For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
[26] They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
[27] They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
[28] Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
[29] He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Mark 4:37-41 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
[38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
[40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
[41] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
If you are going through a storm or trial in your life, just our text alone should bring you great comfort to know that the Lord can say, “Peace, be still” and everything changes! Well Glory! I have found myself many times in my life, asking the same question that the disciples asked…”What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him”? I say to you, HE is the God of Glory! Bless HIS Name!What powerful words Jesus can speak to your heart if you are sailing through troubled waters or battling the storms of life. Notice in our text, (Verses 23-26)…The Word of God tells us that HE raises up the storm! In others words, sometimes it’s NOT the devil that brings the storm or trial, it is God’s mighty Hand at work! Pay close attention to the text…it tells us that those who do business in great waters are those that SEE the works of the Lord and HIS wonders in the deep. We know Jesus can calm the storm, but sometimes HE sends the storm so that we may grow and see Jesus do great miracles and wonders in our life! The Truth of God’s Word is easy at times, but difficult at other times when we don’t understand what is happening. Some of the greatest struggles of my life have not come from wrestling with my flesh, or even with the devil himself, but they have been with God and HIS will or HIS way and direction. Christian friend, these are the storms of life that rob us of peace and joy because they cause us to question the Lord. These storms are fierce because our will clashes with the will of Almighty God bringing waves of doubt and confusion. But what are we to do?
The Psalmist gives us the answer; “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. “ Hallelujah! The Lord is listening for the cry of our heart that says; “I need you, not to calm the storm, or to give ME what I want; not to change the circumstances; but simply, INEED YOU AND YOU ALONE!” This is when God steps in and calms the raging storm. We are not told HE takes us out of the storm, but rather, HE causes the raging storm to be still. Thestorms of life can start to overtake our faith and trust in the Lord. When we are at our “wits’ end”, as we see in our text… we have two choices, we can try and RUN from the trouble or storm, or we can cry out to the Lord. The Lord is anticipating and wanting us to call on HIM for help. Never forget, it’s through the storms and trouble the Lord is teaching us to turn to HIM, to depend on HIM alone.
Friend, to whom do you run to when you are about to sink? Where do you turn for peace and comfort during the most trying times? I want to exhort you from God’s Word today…ANCHOR IN TO JESUS!Don’t let the storm be your focus, but fix your eyes upon Jesus and look toward Heaven for help.
Jesus can and will say “Peace, be still”, and calm the raging storm!
Bro. Lawrence Longworth
Isaiah 61:1 “the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
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