Devoted Life, Peaceful Soul
Weekly Devotional
“Through it all, through it all,
My eyes are on You.
Through it all, through it all,
It is well.
Through it all, through it all,
My eyes are on You,
And it is well with me.”
— lyrics from It Is Well by Bethel Music
Life is crazy. It’s often difficult to find peace in a world full of distractions and important things to do. We become all wrapped up in what our heart tells us is important but ultimately it doesn’t lead to peace. Perhaps temporary satisfaction or happiness. Perhaps we feel accomplished for a bit before a new goal arises. But the things of this world can never give us peace.
However great we may perceive our lives as, it’ll never be peaceful if we do everything for ourselves, for our own glory, power, respect, honor… Everything we do always pales in comparison to the wonder of He who created us: God.
Jesus tells us in John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Only God can provide peace. The peace of His love is greater than anything the world could ever offer us. When we turn our eyes to Him, we are reminded that true peace does not come from external circumstances but from a deep, abiding relationship with our Creator. This divine peace surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Amid the chaos and bustle of life, it’s easy to lose sight of this peace. We chase after achievements, possessions, and recognition, thinking they’ll bring fulfillment. Yet these pursuits often leave us feeling more empty and restless than before. The world’s promises are fleeting, but God’s promise of peace is eternal.
Isaiah 26:3 tells us:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
When our minds are fixed on God, trusting in His plan and His goodness, we experience a peace that remains steadfast even amid chaos. This peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God within our troubles.
The lyrics of “It Is Well” beautifully capture this truth. Through it all, our eyes are on God. No matter the storms we face, no matter the trials that come our way, we can declare that it is well with our souls because we trust in the One who holds the universe in His hands.
Consider the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41. The disciples were terrified as the waves crashed over their boat. Yet, Jesus was asleep, untroubled by the storm. When they woke Him, He simply spoke, “Quiet! Be still!” and the wind and waves obeyed. The disciples were amazed and asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
That story reminds us that no matter how fierce the storms of life may be, Jesus is with us. He has the power to calm the storms and bring peace. Our role is to trust Him, to keep our eyes on Him, and to believe that He is in control.
Devoting our lives to God anchors us in His peace. Now that doesn’t mean we’ll never face difficulties, but it does mean that we’ll not face them alone. Psalm 23:4 assures us:
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
God’s presence is our comfort and our peace.
Furthermore, devoting our lives to God means surrendering our own plans and desires in favor of His perfect will. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Surrendering to God’s will brings a peace that comes from knowing we are exactly where we are meant to be, doing exactly what we are meant to do.
God’s peace is also experienced through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 advises:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer is our direct line to God, a way to release our worries and embrace His peace.
In times of trouble, worship can also be a powerful source of peace. When we lift our voices in praise, we shift our focus from our problems to God’s greatness.
Psalm 100:2-4 says:
“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Worship reminds us of who God is and how deeply He loves us.
The peace that comes from a devoted life to God can also be a witness to others. When people see the peace we have, even in difficult circumstances, they are drawn to the source of that peace. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Our peace can be a powerful testimony to the transformative power of a relationship with God.
As we journey through life, let’s continually fix our eyes on God. Remember that through it all, it is well with our souls because our peace is found in Him. Let’s embrace the peace that Jesus offers, a peace that the world cannot give. No matter what we face, we can rest in the assurance that He has overcome the world and that in Him, we have peace.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33 NIV
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord,
Through it all, our eyes will remain fixed upon You. And it is well with our souls. May this truth anchor our hearts, guide our steps, and fill our lives with the peace that surpasses all understanding. We love you, Lord, and thank you for your wonderful peace.
In Your name, we pray,
Amen.
Related Verses:
Related Songs:
Still — by Hillsong Worship
Peace Be Still — by The Belonging Co
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) — by Matt Redman
Read Next:
G’day, readers! I’m Jack in case you’re new here. I hope you enjoyed this devotional. If you did, please consider giving it a like so it’ll be able to reach more people, and feel free to ask questions or tell me what you thought in the comments. If you haven’t already, subscribe to The YA Section so you don’t miss out on our next devotional. I’ll see you all in my next post!
Have a peaceful day! :)
Wonderful devotional, Jack!
Also, great job, Jack! (Question: what Bible translation did you use?)