The power of God to calm us

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “God’s power in you and for you”

Our Bible verse for today: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “The power of God to calm us”

According to one study, the Bible is the most read book in online reader apps, and Philippians 4:4-7 is the most read passage. Obviously, there is something deeply soothing and reassuring found in reading the Bible, and especially in the passage from Philippians 4:4-7.

One thing we learn from our reading of the Bible is that God is sovereign over all the events of our lives. He has absolute power and total control over everything – including the events of your life and especially over the stormy events in your life. And, as Max Lucado points out in his excellent little book, “Tame Your Thoughts,” God will often use His power to calm your storms. He did it for Moses and the Israelites as they were fleeing from the armies of Pharoah and they needed the Red Sea to be parted so they could escape. He did it for Daniel in the lion’s den. Jesus did it a couple of times when the disciples were caught in a storm at sea and they were in danger of sinking and drowning. Sometimes God calms the storm.

At other times He calms the person in the storm. Sometimes the storm will still rage but He will give the person the strength and courage to deal with it with confidence and dignity. That’s what Paul was describing in Philippians 4:4-7 (which he wrote while in prison and probably expecting to be executed soon.) Choose to rejoice in the Lord; let your graciousness, your confidence, and your dignity be seen by everyone; remember that the Lord is near; rather than worrying about your circumstances, commit them to the Lord in prayer; then experience the peace of God in the middle of the storm.

Faith, trust, and prayer – that’s the key. That’s where your peace will come from. Your God is sovereign over all things; your God has the power to calm the storms in your life; or, even if the storm continues to rage, He has the power to calm you.

So, go to Him. Trust Him. Turn your storm over to Him. If you will do that, then as Isaiah taught more than 2500 years ago in Isaiah 26:3, and which Paul essentially retaught in Philippians 4:4-7, “God will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is fixed on Him.”

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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