View of a lake from a long pier looking towards mountains in the distance

Silence is either created or treasured.  Once experienced, the person longs for it more and more. With so much mental stimulation, finding quiet moments has become a challenge in our present world. However, when some people find stillness, their minds keep them so occupied that they must turn on music or the television to quiet their minds. Nothing may have changed in their life, but they had a moment of quietness that led to peace.

In the scripture, the stillness of our spirit is not determined by what is happening or not happening around us. It is a mindset, as explained by Paul in Philippians 4:8-9. Philippians 4:4-7. It is an attitude shaped based on our confident trust in Christ. David said it this way when Abimelech was going to kill him once he found out that David who killed Goliath was in his presence; “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8-9; NASB) This mindset radiates throughout the chapter.

An art gallery once offered a prize for the best painting on “PEACE.” Top prize: A giant waterfall, with a tree hanging over the furious waters. The tree leaves partly cover a little bird resting in a nest. Peace is not the absence of storms but tranquility amidst storms. Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.

I am amazed at how many times Christ went off alone in the scriptures. Here are some examples – Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:47; Luke 9:18. There is a time that God lead Christ away to be alone in Luke 4:1-13. It was in this alone time that Satan was at his worst. Christ modeled this mindset for us. No matter what Satan said, Christ kept His mind set on the will of God even though He was still hungry and weak and needed angels to minister to Him; Satan had to leave Him because His confident trust in God’s Word was His unshakable strength.  

Please remember, like Christ did, that the Word triggers the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we apply the Word, the Holy Spirit transforms us (Romans 12:2). Our confident trust in God’s Word allows the Holy Spirit, who is our peace, to be peace in our lives, whether our circumstances change or not. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, ….. and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you…… Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:26-28; NASB)

As we run this race, remember to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, who is the Word, who is our power (Hebrews 12:4) and our strength (Isaiah 40:27-31).