ICS Daily Devotions
The Peace of God
Mark 4:38-40 (NKJV) 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?”
Peace of mind is God’s plan for us. He wants us to live in a state of peace and He has provided the way for that to be a reality in our lives.
Jesus was able to sleep in the storm because He was fully assured of the Father’s love. Understanding the perfect love of the Father will cast out all fear. Jesus knew that His work was not finished, and nobody could take His life from Him. He had given the disciples His Word and promise that they would be crossing over to the other side. After He was woken up, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith because they had not believed in His Word. Jesus expected them to prevail over the devil’s attempt to steal the Word from them because in the parable of the sower, He had just taught them about how the evil one would manipulate situations to cause fear, and doubt in Jesus’ love and His promise.
Similarly, Jesus expects us to hold on to His Word and keep our faith by focusing on His Word, so that we can rest on His Word and allow His peace to rule in our hearts in the midst of the storm.
God wants our minds to be free from anxiety, worry and cares. If we don’t take control of our thoughts, they will become imaginations, and if we don’t take control of our imaginations, they will become strongholds.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 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 passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We are to be anxious for nothing by making known to God everything that makes us worry, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The word “guard” means to protect. When we meditate on the Word, our mind is focused on God because we can only think on one thing at a time. We can either meditate on our worries that will create fear, or we can meditate on the Word that will create faith that will guard us with peace.
Sermon Series: Free from Anxiety
