Peace
An outbreak of powerful tornadoes struck eight states in the US Friday night and into early Saturday, December 10, 2021, and left behind mass destruction. At least 100 people are feared dead. The storms included a twister that tore through parts of four states, trapping dozens of people and toppling numerous structures and buildings. That makes it ‘the deadliest 24-hour period’ for tornadoes in the US and maybe among 'the nation’s deadliest and most destructive tornadoes' in more than a decade. Prior to the tornadoes on Friday before midnight, over 100 tornado warnings were issued. People were alerted that tornadoes were coming up their way, and they were trying to find shelters to keep their families safe. But many of them were unable to find safety. They were scattered, helpless, hopeless as the tornadoes struck that night. They didn’t have something or someone capable of rescuing them from the horrifying calamity and disaster.
In contrast to this story, Matthew 8:23-27 tells us about ‘Someone’ whom the disciples could go to for rescue and safety; that was a story about Jesus calming the storm. It started after Jesus had preached to a crowd in the sea of Galilee. He got into a boat with His disciples and went to the other side of the lake. As they traveled across the sea, a great windstorm came up and the waves swept over the boat. The disciples were frightened that the boat would go down and sink. They were looking for Jesus and found out that Jesus was sleeping. Then they woke Him up letting Him know what was going on, that they were in danger and perishing because of the storm. At that very moment, Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, calming them completely and instantly.
The disciples were so fortunate. Jesus was on the boat and they could go and ask him for help. They realized that only Jesus could do that miracle. The good thing to remember is that Jesus not only gives us security and safety, He also gives us PEACE. He 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 (NIV)
This story has a lot of importance for us today. It is incredible to see the PEACE that Jesus had in this situation and the complete turmoil that the disciples were in. Besides the PEACE that Jesus gives us, Jesus was at PEACE and not worried about the storm around them. He said to the disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” He meant that there was no reason for the disciples to be afraid when He was around.
The story of Jesus calming the storm is so important to us because it shows us that God is with us even when we do not realize it. That Jesus is in control. He is with us in ‘the storms’ of life, He is with us at all times. What we need to have is ‘faith.’ When life is overwhelming and we are surrounded with problems and troubles, keep up our faith that Jesus is in control. We can find PEACE even amid the strongest storms because we know that the One who gives perfect PEACE is watching over us.
Ellen White wrote in the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ p. 23: “These things I have spoken unto you, ‘He said, ‘that in Me ye might have PEACE. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’” John 16:33
As we welcome December as a month of PEACE, love, and joy, let us also welcome the presence of the source of PEACE, Jesus Christ, into our homes, into our families, into our lives, and into our hearts.
Hiskia Missah
Editor
