Peace in the Storm

Isaiah 53:4-5

“Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.”

This is a wonderful portion of Scripture because it details for us so beautifully what Christ accomplished for us through His sacrifice on the cross. We acquire all these benefits by faith. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” That word saved is all inclusive, spirit, soul and body. We oftentimes receive so readily by faith the salvation Christ purchased for us from our transgressions and our iniquities, but we struggle to receive by the same faith that He has also borne our griefs, carried our sorrows, and provided our healing. In the same way we take our sins to God and leave them at the cross, He wants us also to bring our griefs, sorrows, and sicknesses and leave them there, allowing God by His Spirit to bring His healing into our soul and body.

“The chastisement for our peace was upon Him.” Jesus took all this on Himself so that we could walk and live in peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) He gives us His peace. He doesn’t give it temporarily at certain times, but He leaves His peace with us. It is not as the world gives because it is not dependent on people of circumstances. Peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Christ provided peace for us, but our connection to that peace is through our relationship with the Holy Spirit. “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid!!!” That is a choice you make by bringing your, mind, will, and emotions into agreement with the Word and the Spirit.

In Mark 4:37-40, we see how Jesus wants to come into our storm and bring peace. “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

No matter what storm you or someone you know is going through, the Prince of Peace is there and He has purchased not only your peace, but because of His sacrifice for us, He has the ability to calm whatever storm you are facing. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) “In Me you may have peace.” It is abiding in Christ that we have peace, and it is out of that posture of peace in Him that we overcome the world. Shalom.

Andy Clark