Noise!

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards
    and were at their wits’ end.
28 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
29 He calmed the storm to a whisper
    and stilled the waves.
30 What a blessing was that stillness
    as he brought them safely into harbor!
31 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
    and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
 Psalm 107:27-31 NLT

Were you like the rest of us and rushed into the summer feeling a new freedom? It’s true we now live with less fear, don’t we?  But as the first rush wears off, some of us are almost overwhelmed with the clutter and clatter of the world.  We miss some of that quiet that had been imposed on us.

Then, there is the violence and lack of control of the world around us.  War, famine, mass shootings, the extreme division of world views fanned by media that erupts into extreme negative, almost combative language.  Sorry to remind you.  Looking for a place to hide?!

As all of the above goes on in the world, neither can we hide from our own personal challenges and struggles.  So, where do we go?  What do we do to regain some of that silence and peace?

In John 14:27 NLT Jesus promises his followers the gift of “peace of mind and heart.”  Let’s run to Jesus for this gift.  Picture him in the middle of your everyday life, the struggles and the joys. In his presence, is peace and quietness of spirit that grows stronger there with him, enabling us to carry his peace in our hearts into every situation we encounter.

Perhaps as you read Psalm 107:27-31 above, your heart resonates with the psalmist in verse 30. “What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”

Only Jesus can calm the storms in our lives and still the waves that threaten to drag us under.  Let’s trust him to silence the noise and bring peace and order to the clutter.  As we run to Christ, and the power of his completed work for us on the Cross, he will bring us into the safe, quiet harbor of his presence.  Let’s rest and be strengthened there.

Dear friends, be blessed with deep peace and quietness of heart and mind as you trust Jesus to bring you into the safe harbor of his presence.  Be blessed as you look to Jesus and praise him for his great love and the wonderful things he has done for us! Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ July 26, 2022