An All-Sufficient Shalom in the Storm
Shalom. Peace. In Israel, it’s the everyday greeting...a sincere wish for peace.
In Scriptures, the Hebrew word shalom means more than worldly peace...it’s the peace of God. It also means “safe.” When we rest in God’s arms, we have His all-sufficient peace because He is all-powerful.
Picture the Sea of Galilee, normally a smooth surface for easy sailing. The mountains around this freshwater lake, however, can hide an approaching storm. The gospel writer Matthew records a moment when a violent squall overtakes Jesus and His disciples on the lake.
“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
The disciples have good reason to fear. They’re in a heavy wooden boat, and there are no life vests. Giant waves threaten to sink them.
But notice what Jesus is doing. He’s asleep. He’s at perfect peace because He’s in complete control of the situation. When His disciples awaken Him, He reprimands the winds and water, instantly settling them into a great calm. His mighty miracle changes His disciples. Their fear of the storm is now replaced with a holy fear. They realize that Jesus might actually be God with them.
Are you in a storm right now? Do you crave a shalom peace?
Like the disciples in the turbulent waves, we often find our hearts tossed about in a crisis. Events of the day, fatigue, pain, too much sugar, worry, hormonal imbalance, and conflicts can all throw us into a fretful state of mind...a maelstrom of chaos, fear, and anxiety.
So, how do we tap into God’s peace? It can be as simple as this—get into the boat with Jesus.
If you’ve turned your life over to His sovereignty, you have unlimited access to His peace through His Holy Spirit. Take a deep breath, open your Bible, and rest in His promises to you. He has redeemed you from bondage to your sins. He has purchased eternal life for you by His sacrifice on the cross. He has promised He will never leave you. And He is all-powerful as Lord of the universe. The One who defeated death can overcome any trial you face and will never let you go.
Ask Jesus to hold your hand in the storm, to heal your heart, to give you His all-sufficient peace that passes all understanding. He will guide you to the safe harbor you need, to the shalom peace He has promised.
Question for Reflection:
Are you in a storm right now? Do you crave a shalom peace? If so, in the stillness of this moment, ask God to grant you refuge in your storm and deliver you to a place of peace and comfort.
