Friday, December 8, 2023

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'

Mark 4:38

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

We can be connected to the Prince of peace and not EXPERIENCE peace. Even though Jesus has secured peace in him by the ministry of reconciliation, we can walk around experiencing anxiety and stress, not appropriating it in our lives.

The first passage is taken from a familiar story in Mark. Jesus, the Prince of peace, is sleeping on the boat, as the disciples experience the storm of their lives. I can imagine that they thought they would be able to ride out or overcome the storm, but the winds and waves overcame them. The word of the Lord says that it was a furious squall and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped (Mark 4:37). Eventually, they HAD to awaken Jesus for assistance. Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, asked the disciples WHY they were so afraid, and rebuked them for not having faith.

In what seasons has Jesus questioned you about your fear? How many times have you been rebuked because of your lack of faith? The truth is that we have peace with God through Christ, but many times we do not appropriate peace in our everyday lives. The second verse of scripture says that he keeps us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed on him. Want peace? Think about God. That is the way to appropriate it.

EXERCISE: Today, when the enemy tries to recall stressful situations, redirect those thoughts to Christ. When he challenges you about your health, remember that God is a healer. When the enemy reminds you of what you lack, think about everything you have in Christ.