Gathering
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow charity;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
Peace Like a River
How would things be if we managed to stay true to God’s commands?
God told us clearly:
“If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isa. 48:18).
Three ways of thinking about peace being like a river:
1. A river is a moving stream of water! This verse does not say we’ll have peace like a pond. Honestly, sometimes, I find peaceful people bit boring. Sometimes, I’d rather forego peace and have an exciting life!
When was the last time you saw white-water rapids?
Few bodies of water are more exciting than rivers! We can have active, exciting lives without suffering through a life of turmoil. To have peace like a river is to have security and tranquillity while meeting many bumps and unexpected turns on life’s journey. Peace is submission to a trustworthy Authority, not resignation from activity.
2. A river is a body of fresh water fed by springs or tributary streams. To experience peace, we must be feeding our relationship with God. We can’t retain peace in the present by relying on a relationship from the past. As a river is continually renewed with the moving waters of springs and streams, so our peace comes from an active, ongoing, obedient relationship with the Prince of Peace. Keen discipleship feeds the peaceful river in your soul.
3. A river begins and ends with a body of water. Every river has an upland source and an ultimate outlet or mouth. Rivers depend on and are always connected to other bodies of water. Likewise, peace like a river flows from a continuous connection with the upland Source, Jesus Christ, which is a timely reminder that this life will ultimately spill out into a glorious eternal life. The present life is not our destination, hallelujah! We who know Christ move over rocks and sometimes cliffs, through narrow places and wide valleys to a heavenly destination. Until then, abiding in Christ (John 15:4) is the key to staying deliberately connected with our upland Source.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Your truly amazing grace. Please help me give Your grace away to others as freely as I’ve received it from You. May I see You as God over the small things, just as much as the big ones, so I can experience Your unending peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Suggested listening
Peace Like a River (The Tabernacle Choir) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8of9CQ9Fes
Peace like a River (Vinesong) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSFYW6ucdVM
When Peace like a River (Sovereign Grace Music) www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHe_qmo3gX4
