Peace Be Still

By Dean Kelly

Two hurricanes have assaulted the southeast in the past couple of weeks. The amount of damage from the first, all the way up in the Carolinas, was devastating. The power of nature has been on full display. Imagine if someone had stood on the shore and told that powerful storm, “Stop” and the storm immediately stopped. What kind of power would that be?

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ’Let us cross over to the other side.’ 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!’

This was not some little thunderstorm. It was sinking the boats. It was scaring these seasoned sailors with its force. But Jesus spoke three words, “Peace, be still.” and the powerful storm obeyed Him. The storm did not just slow down, it was immediately replaced by a great calm. Those who were with Him saw the wind and the sea obey Jesus.

If Jesus can control a powerful storm how much more can He help us deal with the “storms” of life that we may face. If we come to Him in obedient faith, we can meet Him at the cross, and He will be there for us in our struggles of life.

Dean Kelly is preaching minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.