DAY 6 - PEACE, BE STILL

When I was about nine or ten years old, I remember my uncle had fallen in love with a particular hymn, and would often lead it in church.  

Master, the Tempest is Raging was written in the late 1800s, penned by Mary Ann Baker.  It combines dramatic lyrics with dramatic melody and my uncle would lead it perfectly.  The song begins in typical hymnal fashion, but the chorus contains the real thunder, building the prelude to how an all-powerful God will respond to the raging tempest!  My uncle would build the tempo and lead with a loud, booming melody:

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, Or demons or men, or whatever it be, No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies!

At the height of this climax, the song suddenly stops... and my uncle would sing the next verses softly, slowly, and purposefully:

They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, peace, be still!

PRAYER 5:  Prayer of Peace.

Do you feel peaceful?  So often we allow the tempest around us to dictate how we answer that question.  All of us, to various degrees, allow ourselves to be victims of our circumstances.  And yet, as Mary Ann Baker wrote, "They all (the circumstances) shall sweetly obey Thy will."  Storms come, and winds blow (as we all experienced recently), but the "Master of ocean, and earth, and skies" will remain steadfast, always caring, always listening, always loving.

If you struggle with a lack of peace, do not look to your circumstances to provide the relief.  Pray that your eyes may open, that your faith increase, that you see Who holds you in the storm.

Today, pray for peace.