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Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, October 3, 2023


The Perfect Picture of Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”1


Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied him, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered.


The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled.


As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd.
A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.
 

The man whom was originally seeking peace uncovered the last painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace?


A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power.


A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.
 

Peace is not the absence of storms in our lives; instead, peace is resting secure in God’s arms and knowing His presence in the midst of it all. We may not always be able to escape to a place of tranquility, but we can always choose to trust the One who cares for us.
 

Suggested prayer: Heavenly Father, whatever the storms around me today, I ask that you help me fix my thoughts only on you and rest in your perfect peace. Thank you for caring for me, for your safety, and your great love. In Jesus’ name, amen. 
 

 1.    Isaiah 26:3 (NLT). 
 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.

 
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