“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.’ ” (Psalm 91:1,2).
These days there are so many threats to our security. Globally, there is the COVID epidemic, devastating storms, troubled economies, and hightened risk of war. Domestically, there is the abandonment of the Christian values that have made America great, and the marginalizing and censorship of conservatives. This crisis in character spans individuals, families, social institutions and political leaders. Ethnic militancy and violent protests harm our cities. And on a personal basis, there’s the stress of trying to keep up with life’s demands, protect our health, and avoid the snares of temptations and addictions.
How can you have peace in the midst of the storm? That “storm” imagery reminds us of Matthew 8:23-27:
“Now when Jesus got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?'”
When Christ abides in our heart as master, we can trust Him to rebuke the waves of worry that crash against us.
This confidence does not imply that the believer becomes irresponsible or naive. Proverbs advises,
“The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it” (27:12 NIV).
We should be informed and resourceful, but with a heart that is secure in God–like “the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do… ” (1 Chron 12:32).
The Puritan, Thomas Manton, wrote of our security in Christ.
“There is a close union between Christ and us: we are ‘in Him’, and because of this union we are eternally preserved. Look! As it is impossible to sever the leaven from the dough when they are once mingled and kneaded together; so Christ and a believer, when they are united together, there is no parting them any more, and while one lasts the other must endure.”
This peace is not based upon our merit, efforts, or abilities. The true believer is united to the Prince of Peace by the Holy Spirit as the branch is organically joined to the vine (John 15:1-8).
Charles Spurgeon affirmed our secure union with Christ.
“‘Because I live, ye shall live also’ [Jn 14:19] is our guarantee of life eternal. What more do we require? If Christ be in us, and we in Him, the union is of the most intense kind, and the security which follows from it is of the most certain sort. ‘He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit’ [1 Cor 6:17]: what closer and more abiding union can be imagined?”[1]
Have you been trying to compensate for insecurity by attempting to control people and circumstances, or by just escaping into virtual reality? Don’t let the trials of life rob you of this peace. Let’s look unto Jesus who our refuge and our Life!
O Lord, we Thank You that with Christ as our Savior, Lord, and life we can have peace in the midst of the storm. Keep us ever mindful of our spiritual union with Christ through true faith. We take refuge in Your sovereign care. In Christ’s name, amen.
[1] Charles H. Spurgeon, Flowers from a Puritan’s Garden, p.115.
Copyright, 1998, 2021 by John Woodward. Permission is granted to reprint this article for non-commercial use if credit is given to the author and GraceNotebook.com. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version (copyright Thomas Nelson, 1980).