Devotional: Peace, Be Still

Mark 4:35-41; Philippians 4:6-7 “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” (Mark 4:39, KJV). Mark 4:35-41 is a familiar passage of scripture. It inspired the song titled “Peace Be Still” that has been recorded by the late Reverend James Cleveland and many others. In the passage Jesus demonstrates His mastery over nature. Jesus is asleep as the boat is crossing the Sea of Galilee. A storm suddenly arises and the boat is in danger of being sunk by the raging wind and the violent waves of the sea. The disciples are rightly afraid of the storm. Jesus is asleep. The disciples wake Jesus up and tell Him about the storm. After Jesus calms the storm, He asks them about their faith. Would Jesus tell them to get into the boat if He was going to allow a storm to prevent them from reaching the other side? Would Jesus sleep while the storm destroys the boat and take their lives? If Jesus is in the boat with us, and if we are following His commands, will He allow us to perish? Do we have faith in Jesus? In Philippians Paul tells us that we can be free from anxiety if we pray and make our supplication known as we give thanks to God in the midst of our anxieties. God gives us peace that we do not understand. His peace guards our hearts and minds in all disturbing situations. We must have faith in Jesus and He will calm the storms in our life. Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for the peace that you give us when the circumstances threaten to flood us with anxiety. Amen.