Peace, Be Still
What is turmoil? According to Oxford dictionary, it means a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.
It seems to me that we all experience moments of confusion, uncertainty, or some form of disturbance. We see with our eyes and right away the battle begins in our minds. We forget about the faith that comes be hearing and not by seeing. How will I handle this? Why did this happen to me? Will I ever make it through this?
I’m reminded of a story in the Bible when Jesus had fallen asleep in the stern of a boat. The waves began to cause a disturbance and the disciples were fearful they would perish. They cried out to Jesus because they were afraid. They saw with their eyes and became afraid. Jesus says in Mark 4:39 NKJV, “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.” Jesus gave a command. Be still. Psalm 46:10 NKJV reminds, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
What we need to begin practicing is taking captive our thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV says this, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Jesus, fully man and fully God, was aware of this. Instead of letting the tempestuous winds and waves overwhelm Him, He commanded, “Peace, be still!” The waves and winds obeyed His command. Yes, He spoke to the winds and waves. What could the winds and waves represent in your life? Maybe you’ve lost your job and you’re unsure of how to provide for your family, your spouse has asked for a divorce, your children have walked away from the Lord God to serve their own god. Maybe you are struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety. How will you choose to speak to your winds and waves? Jesus says in Luke 17:6 NKJV, “…If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
First things first, I want us to remember this! “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NKJV) Jesus often got away to be alone with Abba, Father. That’s where He drew His strength from. He was, from spending time with Abba, Father, then able to submit. Instead of succumbing to fear, He commanded, “Peace, be still!” In submitting to Abba Father, He is resisting the devil (fear) and he, the devil, is fleeing because he recognizes he has no power. My brothers and sisters, the devil has no authority over us! The only power he has over us is what we give him!
1. Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7 NKJV).
2. “…Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ(2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV).
3. “Be still and know that I am God”(Psalm 46:10 NKJV).
As a reminder to ourselves and for meditation, let us read Psalm 46.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the hearth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
© 2022 Leslie Wittenmyer—All rights reserved