Peace Be Still

In a world gone hysterical, including Christians we need to be reminded not to fear. Fear is everywhere. In the governing authorities, in the stock market, in grocery store lines, in businesess, in churches, in the health care profession. People are losing jobs and fear how they will make it. People are hoarding toilet paper. Of all things, toilet paper.

I am reminded of a story in Jesus' life. You know it. Jesus slept in the boat in the midst of a violent storm that arose unexpectedly. The disciples, seasoned sailors, panicked. Read how they responded to the storm.

Mark 4:35-41 (ESV)
³⁵
 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
³⁶  And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.
³⁷  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
³⁸  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
³⁹  And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
⁴⁰  He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
⁴¹  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

When the disciples saw the waves beating against the boat and into the boat they were afraid. They awoke Jesus and said, "Do you not care that we are perishing?." The word care means not interested or concerned. How could they ask Jesus that question? Better question is how we can ask Jesus that giving voice to our fear and doubts in stormy times?

Let's dig a little deeper. How could Jesus sleep? He was not afraid. He trusted the Father and knew He had assignments on the other side of the lake. Just read Mark 5 and you will see three of those in a row. Jesus slept in the perfect peace of trust in His Father. Just like a child sleeps in the lap or arms of a parent on a stormy night. The peace follows trust. What looked like a lack of concern on Jesus' part was simply not panicking. He rested easily because He did not fear.

Once awake Jesus spoke three simple words with all the authority in Him, "Peace Be Still." What a powerful word. What a needed word for this frightened season. Peace be still to those who have lost or are facing job loss. Peace be still to those fretting getting sick. Peace be still to leaders having to make important decisions impacting multiple lives. Peace be still to healthcare workers and first responders on the front lines battling against this pandemic. Peace be still to pastors trying to shepherd their flocks. Peace be still to President Trump trying to guide the nation through this horrific storm. Peace be still to senior adults paralyzed in fear. Peace be still to a whole world.

With just three words Jesus stilled the storm. Perfect calmness. What He did on that day, He is perfectly able to do this day. Sit back and receive this. Peace be still. Let that word from Jesus wash over you. Over your mind and heart. Take it to heart.

The disciples asked Jesus a foolish question. Don't you care? Jesus asked them a question in return. The same question He directs toward all of us. Why are you so afraid? Why are you alarmed? Why are you terrified and troubled? That is the prevailing attitude among the masses. Raw fear.

Jesus asked a second question. Have you still no faith? When the crisis hit and people started flooding the stores and hoarding all the food, I prayed a simple prayer. "God you are my provider. You used ravens to feed Elijah by the brook Cherith. I trust you will provide for my family."

Just a couple of days after that prayer, I received a phone call that God had laid it on someone's heart to give us some food. So much food it filled our freezers and refrigerator. We even had food for the pantry. I recalled the time we had a deep freeze years ago that broke down. I lamented not having one now. I wished we had another one but suspected they are hard to find. I did not even pray about this. I got a phone call the next day informing me a man wanted to give us a deep freeze. It sits over in the house now. God was not through.

I got another phone call today that the same people wanted to donate some meat to us. The deep freeze came in handy. In a world of hysteria, I choose not to fear not but trust God is in control. My faith is in a faithful Father. My faith is in a faithful Provider. My faith is in a faithful Protector and Healer. He has earned the right to be trusted.

So in this crazy season we must choose to fear not but to place our faith in Jesus. Jesus who is never caught off guard by storms. Jesus who has never been stressed. Jesus who has all power and authority to stop any sweeping disaster by just saying, "Peace be still."