Isaiah 57:20-21 “But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.'”

It is not enough to prepare for the winds and rain of a hurricane. For some that live in coastal areas, there is the possibility of storm surge. The winds blow along the ocean surface and cause the water to pile up. Coastal areas adjacent to a shallow sloping of the ocean floor are especially at risk. And if this abnormal rise of water occurs at the same time as high tide, the flood damage can be extensive!

Today’s verse pictures the wicked like the continual movements of the ocean’s waves. They are never at rest but always moving and tossing. Their activities throw up mud, mire and dirt. One can tell where they have been. The wicked experience no calm and quiet. Their godless lifestyle puts them squarely in the middle of unpleasant drama. They have no peace with God, no peace with others nor peace in their hearts. That is because peace is directly linked to righteousness or right standing with God (Isaiah 32:17)

It is in right standing with God that I can have quietness and confidence (Is. 32:17). I have no righteousness of my own but enjoy His gift of righteousness in Christ. Being in Christ (Romans 8:1) means I do not fear condemnation for my sin. My soul is at rest. I am not troubled with guilt. My life is not made up of tossing waves but a stillness and calm that only the Lord can provide, even in difficult circumstances. I can count on His peace to carry me through. Water will not overwhelm me. He gently leads me to still quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2)

Thank you Lord, for making me peaceful.