Declaration 2023: The DevotionalsSample

Peace in the Storm

- by Pastor Yvonne E. Brooks

‘The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.’ (Luke 8:24 NLT)

To each of us, peace has a unique connotation. The word in Hebrew scriptures is shalom, meaning harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity. Peace does not occupy one part of our lives but permeates our entire lives. God’s peace does not exist on the surface but is buried deep in the hearts and minds of those who accept him as the Lord of their lives.

Peace is birthed out of trust in God. It is the ability to know and understand that even when it appears God is doing nothing, he is still working for our good. His finger is always on the pulse. Our experience becomes one of knowing that God is absolutely faithful and he honours his word in our lives.

We have an innate ability to get worked up and frazzled rather than obeying the instruction to ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10). This is our invitation to watch our heavenly Father solve the storms in our lives. His disciples had not developed that level of trust in him. As the storm whipped around and the waves battered the boat, they panicked as their lives flashed before their eyes. Surely this was the end! Yet, Jesus said to them,

‘“Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was [at once] a great and wonderful calm [a perfect peacefulness]’ (Matthew 8:26 AMP).

There is perfect peacefulness for us all. You can live it every day if you are willing to trust God for every need.

Prayer

I pray you will allow the peace that passes all understanding to be your baseline and starting point. I pray your attitude will be one of not leaning to your understanding but acknowledging God in all you do. Father, I pray your hand will rest heavily on us, your peace will enfold us, and we will be still as we watch your power working its way in and through our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.