In a world battered by relentless storms—global warming, hurricanes, wars raging in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, threats of conflict in China and the Balkans, economic pressures from tariffs, benefit cuts, and widespread social unrest—it’s easy to feel that God has turned away from His creation.
If we were God, we would surely leap in to resolve the chaos immediately. Yet, Scripture calls us to trust in God’s sovereignty, assuring us that even the tiniest amount of faith is sufficient to find His peace. Through many passages in Scripture, we are reminded that God is still in control, actively working His redemptive plan, and still offering perfect peace to those who trust Him.
In Mark 4:35-41 (NLT), Jesus and His disciples are caught in a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee. As waves swamp the boat, the disciples panic, fearing death, while Jesus sleeps. They cry out, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” (Mark 4:38). Jesus rises, commands the wind and waves, “Peace! Be still!” and the storm ceases instantly. He then asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).
This incident is prededed in Mark’s account by Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed. Jesus must have been disappointed that his disciples did not even have a mustard-seed-sized faith in his authority can calm life’s storms.
Today’s global crises—wars, economic instability, or social upheaval—may feel overwhelming to us, but trusting Christ, even with the smallest faith, invites His peace into our hearts, affirming His presence and power over chaos.
Just as Jesus calms the storm in Mark, He also prepares us in Matthew 24:6 for the storms that will not pass quickly: “You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.”
Jesus acknowledges the reality of conflicts, like those in Ukraine or the Middle East, and looming threats elsewhere. Yet, He urges believers not to be consumed by fear. These events are part of God’s divine timeline, moving toward His ultimate restoration. With even a flicker of faith, we can trust that God is neither caught off guard nor absent, finding peace in His assurance that the end is under His sovereign control.
Jesus’ favorite book in the Old Testament was probably Daniel, and The Book of Daniel vividly illustrates God’s dominion over turbulent times. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue, interpreted by Daniel, depicts successive human empires ultimately shattered by a stone—God’s eternal kingdom (Daniel 2:34-35).
This vision reassures us that earthly powers, whether driving wars, economic strife, or social unrest, are temporary. Daniel’s unwavering trust in God during Israel’s exile models how even minimal faith sustains us in crisis. His deliverance from the lions’ den (Daniel 6) further demonstrates God’s faithfulness. Facing both political schemes and mortal danger, Daniel prayed with steadfast trust, and God intervened miraculously. In our stormy times, Daniel’s example encourages us to hold fast with even a small seed of faith, trusting God to act, whether by calming the storm or granting us strength to endure.
So how do we exercise our faith — even if like the mustard seed it is barley visible yet alive to receive peace?
Isaiah 26:3-4 offers a powerful promise: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” This assurance can give us an anchor in turbulent times, promising that trust in God—keeping our minds focused on Him—will yield perfect peace, unshaken by external chaos.
Fixing our thoughts on God’s unchanging nature as our eternal Rock will steady us, and reinforce that even a small measure of faith is enough to access His peace.
Notice, however, that trusting God does not mean denying the pain of wars, economic hardship, or social unrest. Rather, it involves anchoring ourselves in His promises. Mark 4:35-41 shows that even a little faith in Jesus brings peace amid chaos. Matthew 24:6 calls us to trust God’s timeline, resisting panic. Daniel’s life proves that God’s kingdom will still prevail over human turmoil. Isaiah 26:3-4 promises perfect peace to those who trust and focus on God. Together, these passages shift our perspective from fear to faith, and assure us that God is attentive, and is weaving every trial into His redemptive plan.
Practically, trusting God might mean praying for peace in war-torn regions, or supporting those affected by economic cuts, or standing firm in faith amid societal pressures. It involves fixing our thoughts on God, trusting His sovereignty, and believing that His kingdom is advancing, even in chaos.
So, in these turbulent times, let us cling to the promise of Isaiah 26:3-4, trusting that with even the smallest grain of faith, God will faithfully grant us perfect peace, and anchor us in certainty while storms of insecurity rage around us.
“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”. - Edward Mote (1797-1874)
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study