Peace is available if we will choose to receive it, it comes from the Lord. In the turbulent voyage of life, storms often assail us, threatening to capsize our faith and drown us in despair. Yet, in the heart of these tempests, there exists a divine anchor that remains steadfast, capable of calming not only the external chaos but also the storms that rage within us. Turning to the Bible, we find a profound reassurance that God, in His infinite power and love, holds the authority to bring peace to our troubled hearts and minds amid life’s tumultuous seas.
Peace through Calming the External Storms:
The Scriptures illuminate the awe-inspiring sovereignty of God over the elements of nature. In Mark 4:39, we witness Jesus rebuking the winds and calming the raging sea, demonstrating His command over the external storms. This narrative is not just a historical account but a timeless revelation of God’s ability to intervene in our external circumstances. In our darkest moments, when the winds of adversity howl and the waves of challenges threaten to overwhelm us, we can trust that the same God who stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee can calm the storms in our lives today.
Peace through Calming the Storm Within Us:
Beyond the external tumult, the Bible encourages us to seek God’s peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). In the midst of internal storms—whether they be anxiety, fear, or doubt—God offers a profound calmness. Psalm 46:10 urges us to “Be still and know that I am God.” This stillness is not just the absence of external noise but a profound inner tranquility that comes from acknowledging God’s sovereignty. As we surrender our anxieties to Him, He calms the storm within our hearts, granting us a peace that transcends circumstances.
Granting Peace in the Midst of the Storm:
Amid life’s tempests, God not only possesses the power to calm external circumstances but also offers us a profound sense of peace in the very eye of the storm within our hearts. Isaiah 26:3 assures us, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” This peace is not contingent on the absence of challenges but flourishes when we fix our gaze upon God and trust in His unwavering faithfulness. In times of adversity, God’s peace becomes a refuge, enveloping us like a protective shield, providing a serene harbor amidst the turbulent seas of life. As we anchor our trust in Him, God not only calms the storm but graciously imparts a peace that transcends all understanding, standing as a beacon of hope in the darkest hours.
God is greater than any storm of life:
In the voyage of life, storms assail us with ferocity, threatening to capsize our faith and drown us in despair. Yet, in the heart of these tempests, there exists a divine anchor that remains steadfast, capable of calming not only the external chaos but also the storms that rage within us. The Scriptures reveal God’s awe-inspiring sovereignty over nature, demonstrating His ability to rebuke external winds and tumults. As we face challenges, we can trust in the same God who stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee to calm the storms in our lives today. Moreover, beyond external challenges, God beckons us to seek a peace that surpasses understanding, finding tranquility even in the storms within our hearts. This inner calmness is rooted in acknowledging God’s sovereignty, surrendering our anxieties, and allowing Him to still the tempest within. Lastly, amid life’s trials, God offers a profound peace in the very midst of the storm, becoming a refuge that transcends circumstances. As we navigate the unpredictable waters of life, may we cling to the promises of Scripture, allowing God to be the calming force that stills both the external storms and the turbulent seas within us, granting us a peace that defies understanding.
Let’s pause and praise God before we jump into the devotional…
This year, I am utilizing the 365 Daily Devotions book I received for Christmas, applying its teachings specifically in the context of fatherhood. It’s called WALKING WITH GOD by DAVID JEREMIAH. It’s exciting to get to learn from a new resource this year as we have tried different options the past two years and will keep working through this one for 2024. For more information about the author and his ministry, visit: DavidJeremiah.org.
Topic: A DEEP, SETTLED PEACE
Verse: John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
As we step into today, let’s remember how Jesus offered us and gives us peace and choose to receive it today no matter the circumstances before us. Therefore, let’s be the dads who accept the unconditional love given to us by God. Additionally, let’s be the dads who accept Jesus at His Word and decide to no let our hearts be troubled today and to walk bold and courageously rather than fear!
Today’s Devotional gets us started with a reference to the book “By The Still Waters“by Vance Havner. As I was reading the introduction, it spoke to me when it said “I praise the Lord for a deep, settled peace. The world did not give it to me, and the world can’t take it away.” It’s not that complicated and doesn’t require PhD research to find it. We may not grasp it all and yet Jesus offers it up to us.
Today’s Devotional closes with this point: “The plans that God has foreordained for us are beyond our understanding, but we know that when we are with Him, there will be a peace we have never imagined.” It’s a peace that surpasses all understanding!
Let’s be the dads who in the midst of the storms of life put all our hope and trust in God so that His peace that surpasses understanding will guard our hearts and minds. Today, let’s invite the Holy Spirit, our comforter, guide, advocate to come into our situation and bring peace to our hearts and minds today so we can receive what Jesus was offering by not letting our hearts be troubled and not being afraid.
“There are thousands of earth’s rich and renowned who would give it all for the childish confidence of the soul that on Jesus hath learned for repose.”
VANCE HAVNER
