Perfect Peace?

What does Perfect Peace look like? Is it something that is even achievable? Looking to Christ, we can see this Perfect Peace in action, along with powerful reminders as to what our needs are as we seek each day to walk worthy of our calling, and to glorify God in everything we do and say.

JESUS AS OUR EXAMPLE OF PERFECT PEACE

'When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He *said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” ' Matthew 8:23-27

In Mark's account, the Disciples mistook Jesus' calm for a lack of concern: 'Jesus Himself 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?” ' Mark 4:38

While the storm around their little boat ragged, Jesus slept in perfect peace. The disciples, in a panic, assumed that this storm was so great that Jesus' level of concern, or fear, should have matched their own. For those of us who are trusting in the Word of God, and the God of the Word, our faith in Him, His plan, His sovereignty, His power and strength grow. In Psalm 73, the writer comes to this realization after returning to the presence of God, that the wicked "are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors! (Ps. 73:19)."

For the Believer, the confidence we have in facing this world and its storms is not based on our own power, but on our complete dependence on God in Christ. It is for this reason that the disciplines of Bible reading and Prayer are essential to our walk with the Lord.

DEPENDENCE ON THE LORD IS A DAILY DISCIPLINE

'How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord , And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. ' Psalms 1:1-3

Our determination to be a people of His Word hinges on our discipline to dwell within its pages. We must study, memorize, seek to not only understand, but to obey, not only to read and hear, but to do. Our love and priority of His holy scriptures ought to be so intrenched that our thoughts are guided by the historical recalling of God moving with and through His people, saturated in poetic Psalter of worship and wisdom, and edified by epistle writings of encouragement and spurring on to faith and good works born out of Gratitude for our Savior.

Dedicated to Thankful Prayer

'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ' Philippians 4:6-7

I am of the conviction that you do not need a pill for anxiety: you need more prayer. At first glance, it would be apparent to the casual reader that being anxious is the result of a lack of persistent prayer and a thankful heart. "In everything, by prayer, give thanks." In everything. Do we approach prayer in such an all-encompassing manner? Is it seen as our front line, or our last resort? When prayer becomes the attitude of our heart, and the conduit of our thinking, I believe that anxiety would find no room to spread its woes within us.

Let us be reminded and encouraged to Delight in His Word, and be Dedicated to Thankful Prayer by the simple phrases of the old hymn, How firm a foundation:

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

To you, who for refuge, to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed.

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;

I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials they pathways shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be they supply;

the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

thy dross to consume and they gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose,

I will not, no will not desert to its foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake."

May it be so in us as we seek to glorify and represent our Lord Jesus...

Now and forever.

Amen