BLESSED WITH STRENGTH AND PEACE
The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peaceH7965.
Psalm 29:11
The earlier verses of this psalm depict the majestic, mighty power of God. He controls the universe with His voice. In fact, He created the earth by speaking it into existence. He controls the wind, the rain, the lightening. A storm is a demonstration of His omnipotence—He is all-powerful.
The following insight comes from J. Vernon McGee in his Thru the Bible Commentary Series:
The power of God in a storm is great, and it is He who gives strength during a storm. God can strengthen and enable us to go through the storms of life and know what peace is afterward. The storm with all of its fury may lash across the land, but Jehovah is still in control. In every storm of life He is in control, and He will bless His people with peace. (18)
God demonstrates His power in literal storms, but we must remember He controls the storms of life as well. More importantly, His presence in our life determines our reaction to those storms. Are we panicking or peaceful? When we turn to the Lord and fix our minds on Him, we are blessed with His peace. How can we move from panic to peace? Prayer and soaking in Scripture that reminds us of His tender care for us such as:
John 10:11a I am the good shepherd.
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
We have a choice each time we face a trial. Will we panic and be paralyzed by anxiety, or will we saturate our minds with God’s Word and prayer until the blessing of His peace saturates us?
Father, Susan and I have faced many storms, physical challenges together, some so drastic I nearly gave in to panic. However, You blessed me with Your peace as I placed all my anxiety upon You. Thank You for reminding me of Your loving care.
Worship with Casting Crowns as they sing, “Praise You in This Storm”: