Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.

There are times when having the Japanese to read is a big advantage, and this is one of them. Japanese distinguishes between inner peace and outward peace, and here it says inner peace. Lack of war is generally desirable, but there is such a thing as a just war, just as there is such a thing as inner peace in the middle of tumultuous circumstances. David has just mentioned several natural phenomena, “acts of God,” that show how weak human beings are in the overall scheme of things. That sort of thing gets a lot of people pretty stirred up! However, people who really know God praise Him for His power (verse 10) and have inner peace even in the middle of that. They know He’s going to give them strength to get through, whatever happens. This is a massive blessing and a powerful witness to those who don’t know God. However, many people who should know God, or who know Him largely by hearsay, don’t appropriate the power and peace He provides. We let ourselves get stirred up by circumstances, and inner peace goes out the window. That’s no failure on God’s part, it’s our failure to trust Him, to “Be still, and know that [He is] God.” (Psalm 46:10)

This is a very timely reminder for me, with my schedule piling up like a log jam. The devil would like to rob me of my peace, but I need to stand firm against him, clad in God’s armor. That armor of course includes “the readiness of the Gospel of peace” and “faith.” (Ephesians 6:10-18) He will provide the time, strength, and wisdom to do everything He calls on me to do, so I have no reason to be anxious about anything. That’s not always easy to remember! A packed schedule means I have lots of opportunities to let Him work through me for His glory, so I need to rest, relax, and rejoice!

Father, thank You for all You have enabled me to do already this week, and for the schedule that lies ahead of me as well. Thank You for waking me this morning so that I don’t have to feel rushed about this devotional time, or about preparing the sermon notes for Sunday. Help me approach each thing on my schedule with the calm assurance that You will give me the strength, wisdom, and presence of mind to get it done properly. Show me when, where, and how to get the rest I need as well. May I be Your instrument in every detail, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!