Peace, be still!
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
The words of Christ caused the winds on the Sea of Galilee to cease, and the calm was the calm of still waters and the transformation from turbulence to tranquility on the face of the waters. "Who is this," asked the disciples in fear and amazement, "that even the winds and the sea obey him?" But our Lord is not only sovereign over the physical universe; he is Lord of the heart as well. The raging storms of doubts and fears are no less amenable to the power of his word than are the winds and storms of the physical creation.
And when our Lord speaks peace, the peace he brings is that of "a great calm." Our Lord himself said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (Jn. 14:27). For the peace that our Lord gives is neither superficial nor temporary. Neither is it rooted in our emotions and feelings and doings and accomplishments. It is not ultimately founded in our merit or works. Instead, it is fundamentally an objective peace, secured by Christ's atonement, resurrection, and intercession for us. Christ himself is our peace (Eph. 2:14). However, though it is objective, it will and must inevitably secure an eternal and satisfying peace that finds its place in the mind and heart as well.
The apostle Paul would remind the Philippian Christians of this reality as well: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7). Thank God for that! Thank God for a peace which passes understanding and is therefore not dependent upon our ability to figure things out, but which depends upon God's sovereign and saving grace.
May the peace of God in Christ be with you today.