Within the Stirring

His presence brings peace.

But He [Jesus] 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?”

Mark 4:38-40 NKJV

The positioning of Jesus is always purposed. The above verse states, “Jesus was in the stern” of the boat. The stern is the back of the boat that houses the steering device. How symbolic! Peace comes as we rely upon God to steer our course within the storm. Indubitably, today, Holy Spirit is ever-present, filling our vessel with His presence, empowering us to move in our God given authority through every storm.

As Jesus and the others sailed across the sea, the waters raged, spewing fear into the hearts of the disciples. What of the Prince of Peace? He rested. Jesus was asleep on a pillow. He did not allow the wind of adversity to rob His serenity. Tranquil, He slept, through the whirl of the wind-whipped waves.

Yet, those in the boat with Him, were rattled by the strength of the tempest. With a gale force, fear entered, fiercely escalating, bringing a great unrest. As the boat rocked, anxiety washed over them. Panicked, drenched in fear, their heart-cry for help became an action. They woke the One with them in the boat. Though they were fixed upon the challenge of the storm, within the dire circumstance, desperation drew them to the presence of God. Their focus shifted. The disciples rousted to the realization that Jesus was with them. Refocusing, they turned to the Master of the sea for help.

They called upon the Prince of Peace, seeking Him to activate His power within the stirring of the storm. The storm stimulated them to pray, hands-on, as they woke the Savior. The violent tossing of the boat caused their vessel of faith to be rocked. They questioned Him, “Teacher do you not care that we are perishing?” The disciples knew to turn to Him; yet, they still questioned Him. Jesus, unshaken by the force rising against them, stood and spoke to the storm. “Peace, be still!” The storm ceased, and there was a great calm. Jesus then turned and questioned them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” May I ask, “How would you answer that question?”

(Faith: Strong’s Concordance - 4102: belief, trust, confidence)

Within the stirring, Jesus calmed the sea. Even today, the Prince of Peace reigns over the tempest of the air. As we call upon the Name of Jesus, His authority will still the sea.

Throughout life’s voyage; inevitably, storms will come. It is during these times of testing that the deliberate placement of our focus is key. Even those in the boat that day, with the Messiah Himself present, had to get their eyes off of the storm, and place their sights upon the Savior. Though, the Lord was physically present, the disciples still had to regain focus. For, they saw the waves from the storm’s point of view, and not through the eyes of the One with them.

A God-given perspective is key in the midst of the storms of life.

Let us remember, though the waves can be great, they are not greater than He who is situated next to us in our boat called, “Life.” Within the gale, may we refocus, and see the storm through His eyes, for through the eyes of the Savior, peace is in sight.

Shalom!

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 NKJV

(Peace- Strong’s Concordance Greek 1515: one, quietness, rest…peace of mind)

(HELPS Word-studies 1515: to join, tie together into a whole, wholeness, I.e. when all essential parts are joined together; peace. (God’s gift of wholeness.)

“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” John 16:33 TPT

(Peace- Strong’s Concordance Greek 1515)

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV

(Peace - Strong’s Concordance Hebrew 7965: completeness…soundness…welfare…health…prosperity…contentment…tranquility…friendship…of human relationships…with God especially in covenant relationship)

Call upon the Prince of Peace.

Prayer

Father,

I have allowed the forces of the enemy to catch my attention.

My peace has been swayed by the prince of the power of the air.

I do repent for setting my gaze upon the stirring of life’s storms around me, for the tempest has been great within the world lately. I have allowed my faith to be rocked by the winds of adversity. Forgive me, Father. I rebuke fear, in the Name of Jesus, and exchange it for Your perfect love. Prince of Peace fill this vessel with Your presence, once again. I receive God's gift of wholeness.

Restore within me - great faith - as I face the storms that crash around me. May my life be a living testimony of Your peace within the rocking of unrest in our day.

Within this moment, I refocus my gaze. I choose to fix my eyes upon You, the One in the stern of my boat called, “Life.” Steer me, O God, through the tempest, I pray.

Help me, Jesus!

Muzzle the voice of the wind, silencing it’s outburst against me. Regrettably, my perspective has been misaligned by the shrieking of the storm. Please, give unto me eyes that see past the howling gale. Help me to remember, that You are with me.

Truly, perspective is key; especially, when it comes to faith. May my point of view be through the eyes of the One who is at the stern of my life. Lift my head, O God, that I may place my sights on You, for You are my life giving vantage point.

Within the stirring; miraculously, Your presence brings me peace.

In all authority, in the Name of Jesus, I speak to the storm (within and without),

“Peace, be still!”

Amen