GOD’S WAY DEVOTIONAL – #3
Following Jesus From the Edges
GOD SPEAKING – “PEACE”
Pastor Calvin Cook
January 21, 2026
Scripture – “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39 (ESV)
Today as we focus on hearing from God and what God is asking of us and the expectations that God has for us because of our relationship with God. I want to share how recently I have heard, listened and stood in awe of how God continues to speak and to be and all we have to do is surrender.
This past weekend we focused on a scripture from Matthew 8:23-27 where Jesus is wakened by His disciples because they are in the midst of a great storm. The response to the storm was simply Jesus bringing calmness into the midst of fear. Then being in awe of God and what God does. The same situation is also recorded in Mark 4:35-41and Luke 8:22-25 – each having its own little twist with the same meaning and outcome.
Here is what happened and this is how the scripture was lived out in my life:
Yesterday Gail and I left Kane with sunshine and blue skies to pick up our friend Donna at the Buffalo Airport. For those of you not living where we live you might be saying no big deal. But here where we live on the Allegheny plateau with the effects of winter coming from many different directions, the climate changes rapidly from area to area. The first hour and half of the trip was awesome. Clear roads, sunshine filled skies, no real concern other than what type of donuts Tim Horton’s would have in Ellicottville.
As we entered the 219 bypass at Springville New York, life and road conditions changed very quickly. Near white out conditions from snow bands off of Lake Erie set a mode of concern, panic and fear. With the added frustration of other drivers in all shapes and sizes of vehicles driving like it was a summer day added to the concern.
Gail is not the best winter traveler and though I value her fear and what was happening all around us I still could hear the words from the scripture from the past week’s sermon speaking into my heart. “Peace – be still”. I couldn’t help but feel and think that right there with us was the power and authority of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit speaking and guiding and causing the storm that was raging all around us not to consume us. I even at one point imagined Jesus sitting in the car saying “Peace” – “It will be OK” – “This won’t last forever”. And it didn’t ! After about a 25 mile stretch, we drove out of the pelting snow, crazy drivers, and insecurity of knowing if we were on the road or not into blue skies, a few gentle flurries, and a deep breath of thanking God for His presence.
The trip home though the conversation came back to the driving conditions we had experienced an hour before. But the trip except for about a two-mile stretch was free of concern with no side ways snow, clear roadways, and gentle drivers for the most part. One thing Donna said though has stuck with me. Donna reminded us that we had been through this experience before. A few years ago we returned from some missionary work in Haiti during a January snow storm that took us several hours to get home. Here is the message – we survived – not because of a fluke or coincidence but because we trust in a God who guides us through the storms of life.
Sit with me for a few minutes this morning. Pray with me. As we think about the storms we are going through. Whether they be relationships situations, family situations, health concerns, financial, emotional, or anything right now that might be causing great distress. Just sit and say to God – “I trust in you”,” I acknowledge you”, “You are with me”, “Calm the storm”, “Give me direction”. Are you surrendering? Are you listening as God speaks to you? Are you finding comfort? or are these words just more words.
One thing I didn’t realize in the snow storm we drove through was we were being surrounded in prayer. Gail had posted a message on a group chat our church has of her fear and the situation we were in. And the chiming began from prayer warriors – praying for you, surrounding you in prayer, praying hands emoji. And so the scripture is lived out once more “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV.
And the prayers and concern continued until we were safely home. This has warmed my heart and taught me great lessons that will continue to form me and change me.
Friends – I know, I know, we are all going through much. But here is what I also know: We must truly come to the place of listening and following after God’s will. It will be life changing but it should bring us to not just be using God as a 911 call but leaving the distractions, pain and influence that has creeped into our life and stalked our vulnerabilities and insecurities and caused us to not acknowledge God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the only and always one true GOD.
May Peace prevail in your life today. And the peace of Christ that passes all understanding guide and direct your heart.
Thoughts from the Edges 
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