Peace Like A River

I grew up camping on the river every summer.  One of my favorite memories is floating on the river in the calmness of the day as the sun beat down, warming not only my body but my attitude as well.  With my eyes closed, I could hear the sound of nature—birds chirping, water flowing, and trees moving in the breeze. There’s just something about it that gives you a peace like you’ve never known. 

God tells us that we can have peace, if we listen, learn, and then do.

“…I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.  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.”  Isaiah 48:17-18

God teaches us in different ways.  We are all individuals, and He knows exactly what it’s going to take to get us to learn.  Sometimes our hearts are ready to receive His instruction and guidance or even His discipline, and all He has to do is nudge us.  Sometimes we’re a little more hard-headed and He’s got to bring learning through trials or affliction.  But either way, it is always for our best interest.  God knows what is best for you.  When you’re in a trial that’s been going on for a long time, have you ever asked God what it is that He’s trying to teach you through that trial?  Maybe He’s just waiting for you to “get it”.  Many times, our trials stick around because of the attitude of our hearts, not because of what someone else is doing.  Remember, God knows what’s best for you.

God directs you in the way you should go.  When you’re on a river, you can try paddling upstream, but you will only wear yourself out.  Have you been paddling upstream with God?  Is God asking you to do something or go somewhere, and you keep telling Him, “No”?  You won’t have peace when you’re paddling upstream against God. 

When you’re on a river, it will guide you where you go.  Ask God for guidance and go where the Spirit leads.  A river can be very still, but it can also have raging rapids, where you must hold on for your life!  But even through those rapids, you can have peace knowing that God will take you through, just as you can have peace in the rapids of your own life because God is your source.

In order to truly have peace, you must be obedient to God.  He says in the scripture above, “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river…”  Paying attention to God’s commands means being obedient!  If God tells you to lean left or paddle to the right, you’d better do it, or you may come upon a very big rock in your path.  You see, God knows what’s up ahead even when you don’t.  Your eyes are down at water level and you see only what is right before you, but God sees the big picture.  He knows where there are rocks, rapids and even water falls.  When we listen to Him, He tells us what to avoid, and we have peace knowing that He is in control of our lives.

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.”

It’s very easy to see rapids ahead and to be afraid.  But when you have the peace of Jesus, it’s like you just know that all will be well, that He will take care of you.  That doesn’t mean that everything will always be easy.  But you can have the peace of Jesus, knowing that you don’t have to be afraid, because He is with you, and He loves you!  What more do we need to have peace in our lives?—Only Jesus! 

If you’d like more information on what it means to follow Jesus, check out our blog titled, “New Life in Christ” from April 2, 2010.

~Lisa


All Scripture references are from the New International Version.
@Copyright 2011 LVC Ministries, Inc.