The Blessed Peace of the Magnificent One

Record-setting winter storms, rolling blackouts, and 100-car pileups. Add that to political unrest, unprecedented national division, and economic uncertainty. And, don’t forget COVID-19, complete with daily death totals, mask restrictions, and vaccine recommendations. Good grief! It seems like things are spiraling out of control — and fast. The news this week can be scary, even terrifying.

The answer to this, like most things, is really a matter of perspective.

In my mind, I have a weird mental catalog of lines from hymns — the happy byproduct of many years spent in church services. These lines might pop out at any given time. Just ask those around me! Today, I find one that I can’t hear except in my Granny’s voice: “What have I to dread, what have I to fear?”

In Mark chapter 4, we find a popular account of Jesus calming a raging storm as He and the disciples cross over the sea by boat. While the power of the Messiah is on display and is probably the purpose of the verses being recorded, this is also a story revealing the disciples’ realization of the magnificence of the One they had followed.

As they are stuck in the storm-tossed ship, the disciples’ fears overtake them. There is no doubt — these are real fears, founded in a real storm. In their panic, they wake the Savior, who was wearily sleeping on a cushion in the vessel’s hull. Even in the presence of Jesus, they are truly fearful. Perhaps, as we read the account, we wonder, “Why? Jesus is right with you!” Jesus’ own response was similar — “Why is it that you are afraid? How is it you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). With a word, Jesus promptly calms the storm, and in astonishing ease, He stops the raging sea. “Hush, be still” (4:39).

Today, we live in undeniably turbulent and troubling days. The storms of life are surely real. Some of the situations we face are dire. And, yet, we have nothing to fear! Not one thing.

As believers, this very day we have the promise that Jesus loves us deeply. We have the assurance that He will not leave us. We have the knowledge that He is powerful over all the raging storms of life. Today, may we, just like the timid, harried disciples in that wave-tossed boat, also be in the process of realizing the magnificence of the One we have followed!

“What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.“

Amen, Granny!