Recognized by Our Fruit

03/09/24 – 03/22/24

Peace in the Storm

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  03/13/24

Jesus never promised us a life without problems. He told us to expect trouble and persecution. He told us that the last days would be full of turbulence and testing. He told us that the world would hate us, put us on trial, and put us to death. But we have divine peace.

When you have divine peace, you are like a submarine in a hurricane. If you remain on the surface, you’ll be destroyed—but if you dive deep into the ocean of God’s love, you’ll have peace. No, you won’t escape your circumstances completely. Even if a submarine descends to a depth of four hundred feet, it can feel the rocking motion of the waves above. A hurricane-force storm on the surface can cause a submarine to roll ten to fifteen degrees—enough to make some submariners seasick. But the crew will be safe beneath the waves because it has gone deep, deep, deep, where the turbulent storm cannot destroy it.

That is what divine peace is like. It doesn’t mean the storm won’t rock your boat. It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get seasick. But it does guarantee peace that passes understanding, peace that transcends comprehension, peace that defies explanation. It’s the peace that only the Lord Jesus Christ can bring you. It’s a peace that can’t be found in the secular world or in any other religion. It can be found in Jesus alone.

Many cry out for peace. Many struggle with guilt and fear. Their consciences are a war zone. Their minds are a battlefield. Their relationships are stormy seas. Their hearts are filled with anxiety and confusion. That’s why Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

All the money in the world can’t buy you a moment of divine peace. All the good works and charitable deeds and religious rituals in the world will never buy you God’s peace. You can’t earn it or inherit it or ever be worthy of it—but you can have it for free. Divine peace is a gift.

Prayer: Lord, I confess that often I look elsewhere for peace instead of seeking You, the God who is peace. May Your voice be louder than all my fears and concerns. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For he himself is our peace, . . .” (Ephesians 2:14).