PeaceBeStill | Kristi's Morning Devotional

For the last hour we experienced a mighty, rushing wind. No, not the one from the book of Acts but the kind that comes sweeping across the plain and down the rock face.

It started at 2:30 am and now it’s 3:45 am and all is quiet. It’s still.

I was concerned. Do I go outside and fold down the chairs and table? Is it strong enough to blow the grill off the picnic table? Are all the compartment doors on the RV storage securely latched?

And now it’s still.

Dave’s back in bed and I’m here, contemplating the calm with all of you.

I remember when we bought our home in Montana. The sweet lady we purchased from gave me some excellent information. She said, “Kristi, you have never experienced one of our snowstorms. The wind will blow the snow sideways. It will blow in without warning. It looks like a blizzard is setting in, but wait. Wait thirty minutes and it will all be over”.

That first snowstorm came just like she said. The wind, the pelting snow and I waited. Thirty minutes, I watched the clock. And it was over.

Now it was still.

Life’s winds will blow. It can be disconcerting, distressing. But the storm will cease. It will pass.

“After sending the people away, they took Jesus with them in a boat. It was the same boat He used when He taught them. Other little boats went along with them. ³⁷A bad wind storm came up. The waves were coming over the side of the boat. It was filling up with water. ³⁸Jesus was in the back part of the boat sleeping on a pillow. They woke Him up, crying out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” ³⁹He got up and spoke sharp words to the wind. He said to the sea, “Be quiet! Be still.” At once the wind stopped blowing. There were no more waves. ⁴⁰He said to His followers, “Why are you so full of fear? Do you not have faith?” Mark 4:36-40 NLV

And now it was still.

When the winds come it’s important we remember God’s promise – I will never leave you or forsake you. He won’t abandon us in our storms. He’s with us in the boat. Let’s take our cue from Jesus – He isn’t worried and we shouldn’t be either.

He’s in control and now it is still!

“I don’t mind the leaves that are leaving. It’s the leaves that are coming.” a quote by Piglet from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.

That’s how I have felt the last few days. We’ve had a lot of wind in the Southwest and I’m not a fan. One of the things I was glad to leave behind when we moved from Montana was the wind.

I am so thankful that we don’t live in an area where tornados are prevalent. I pray for those of you who do.

One of the most comforting stories I’ve read in the Bible is about the wind.

“Jesus got into a boat. His followers followed Him. ²⁴At once a bad storm came over the lake. The waves were covering the boat. Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵His followers went to Him and called, “Help us, Lord, or we will die!” ²⁶He said to them, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then He stood up. He spoke sharp words to the wind and the waves. Then the wind stopped blowing. ²⁷Then men were surprised and wondered about it. They said, “What kind of a man is He? Even the winds and the waves obey Him.” Matthew 8:23-27 NLV

The winds came. The disciples were afraid. Jesus was asleep. “Wake up Jesus”. He spoke. The winds ceased. They were saved!

There is never a time that we will go through a storm alone. Jesus has committed His life for our salvation. The winds stopped because of His word.

Just a day or so before Jesus got into the boat with his disciples He had been preaching to the crowds on a mountain top. He spoke these words to them.

“Whoever hears these words of Mine and does them, will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. ²⁵The rain came down. The water came up. The wind blew and hit the house. The house did not fall because it was built on rock. ²⁶Whoever hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down. The water came up. The wind blew and hit the house. The house fell and broke apart.” Matthew 7:24-27 NLV

Jesus told them that His word was the foundation of strength that would keep them secure in life’s storms.

When he finished teaching he came down the mountain and with His word He healed a leper. Then He spoke and a centurion’s servant was healed. He went to dinner at Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law. After dinner Jesus healed many more people who had come to Him and He delivered many who were demon possessed. All of this is recorded in Matthew chapters 7 and 8.

Great crowds of people were gathering and Jesus told His disciples “Let’s go to the other side” of the lake. So they got into the boat. Jesus didn’t say “Let’s go half way across and drown”. He gave them His word to be a solid foundation for what was to come.

His disciples had seen him cleanse the leper, heal the sick and cast out demons; they really didn’t need to be afraid of a storm.

When life’s waves try to swamp us and its winds try to blow us off course that’s the time to hold tightly to what God has said, to confidently trust in His power and remember that our foundation is securely planted in Him.

The wind and the waves will cease and we will be safe in Him.

Tag: PeaceBeStill

And Now It’s Still

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