Peace Be Still

Duane Vander Klok

Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

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. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Mark 4:36-41 NKJV

You might wonder how Jesus was able to sleep through the storm and only wake when His disciples called for Him. Unlike the fearful disciples, His internal peace was greater than the external storm. The power and authority that Jesus used to rebuke the storm came from the overwhelming righteousness, peace, and joy that He carried. He was able to silence the chaos and destruction around Him by choosing to build the Kingdom rather than succumb to fear and darkness. His peace destroyed the external environment and the destructive plans of the enemy!

The peace that Jesus exemplified on the boat has been made available to you through the righteousness bought on the cross. Through the Holy Spirit, you are the force that can stop the destructive plans of the enemy by choosing to build the Kingdom of God rather than falling into fear and doubt. When you have peace in a storm, the enemy is forced to face the power and authority of Jesus.

True peace is not determined by your circumstances. Jesus did not say that you will never face trials, temptations, but when those times come you can know that your peace comes not from your external environment, but from the Prince of Peace who is with you! After all, the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy.