Be Still And Know

2 Thessalonians 3:16 As Paul brought this letter to an end, he wrote the Thessalonians this wonderful benediction. I love these words and, when I have sent a card to someone over the years, I have very often quoted this verse. What greater blessing could you seek for another person than that they would know the Lord’s peace at all times and in every situation? Surely we all long for that for ourselves and for all those who we care about. Peace needs to be carefully understood. Alexander Maclaren, the famous Victorian preacher, got to the heart of the issue when he wrote: “Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.” It is precisely when we live in close partnership with God that we discover what real peace is. And because of the strength of his peace, we are able to withstand any challenge. It has often been observed that, at the heart of a hurricane, there is complete stillness and quiet. Whilst destruction swirls around, at the eye of the storm there is peace. Mirac