O WHAT PEACE AND JOY!!!

Peace in the midst of a storm, might sound crazy, if not silly, to many in this world…let alone joy, added to it. How can there is peace and joy in our hearts, when we are in the midst of a storm? If anything, there should be chaos, and certainly confusion and concern. But peace in the midst of a storm? It is improbable and impossible.

The apostle Paul, in the midst of trouble and storm, and an uncertain future, with death hanging over his head, has these words the young Church at Philippi.
– “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice…6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-7

The LORD, through Paul, and his intense experience of sufferings, pain and storms, is speaking to us even today. The LORD wants us to focus, not on the pain, nor on the suffering, however real they may well be. The LORD wants us to look unto Him, and stay focused on Him, and Him alone. It is He, who will guide us through it all. Hence, the peace and the joy in the midst of storm.

A few more verses from the Word of God, to help us get our perspective right, and gain a deeper understanding about the LORD our God – who He is, and what He is asking of us, in all our struggles and storms.
– “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” –  Isaiah 41:13
– “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” – Isaiah 43:2
– “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27

What about us? How are we walking through our lives? What about storms and struggles in our lives? Do we focus on the LORD our Shepherd while in the midst of our struggles? May the LORD help us to seek Him, and stay focussed on Him and Him alone. When we walk thus, peace and joy will surely be ours, in the midst of any storm, and every storm. Even so the LORD help us.