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Peace Like a River
We are a people looking for peace. One may look at a painting and be transported into a world where nothing can trouble them. Perhaps your peace comes from standing on the banks of a gently flowing river, or sitting in the sand as the ocean tide rolls in and out, or a walk in the woods, or perhaps just listening to soft music. Wherever our search might lead us, we are all seeking peace.
We tend to look for peace in the wrong place though. Travel agencies profit from the search as people look for that perfect vacation to “get away from it all.” Others seek peace through reading or in watching TV or movies as a less expensive way to “escape the drudgeries of life.” And sadly, some slip into depression, some turn to drugs and alcohol. Some even commit suicide not realizing they are hurling themselves into an eternal abyss of conflict and discord.
As we seek peace in things and places, we know deep down that peace is not dependent on external factors. Even if that painting we’re looking at could literally transport us to the peaceful scene we imagine it to be, it would be meaningless if our marriage was a train wreck, or our kids were in trouble, or our conscience was bothering us. We know all too well that the peace that comes through external means is destroyed by external means. The person sitting on the banks of the river, or by the seaside can contract leukemia just like a person in the city. And then what becomes of his peace?
We’re not going to find any true and lasting peace in the things of this world. It’s just not there. Read John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Here’s the clue to real, lasting peace! We recently sang, “It is Well with My Soul.” One of stanzas goes like this:
My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
When we are right with God, we are right with everything else. It doesn’t matter what kind of house we live in, or how well it’s decked out. It doesn’t matter where we spend our vacations because they’re meant for relaxation and recreation, not an attempt “to get away from it all.” Real peace is the product of being right with God.
Phil. 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Do you have peace? Is your soul like a gently flowing river, or an ocean tide rolling in and out, a walk in the woods? Would you like to get there? Here’s how:
1. If you’ve never been baptized, do it now. Until you do, your sins will come before night and day and trouble your heart (Psa. 32:3-4). In baptism, you appeal to God for a clear conscience, and He grants it when you obey Him (1Pet. 3:21).
2. As a child of God, there may still me some habitual sins that nag at you. You must decide to put them away, once and for all. You make a choice here between the “passing pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25) or the ”peace that passes understanding.” It’s your choice. God promised to forgive you if you will confess (1Jno. 1:9). Do it now!
3. If your lack of peace comes from work or family-related issues, try to improve your perspective. Think about the worst thing that can happen in your job, family, etc. Get fired? Have no money? Kids get in trouble? These are serious matters, but not soul-destroying. Nothing can take your salvation away. And no matter what happens God will see that you eat and have clothing and shelter (Mt 6:33). And the “worst” will probably never happen, especially if you’re praying constantly for wisdom, which God gives “liberally and without reproach” (Jas. 1:5).
4. Examine your ego. Some of us are not as concerned about “going broke” or even losing our kids to the world as we are about people knowing about it. We are much too concerned about how we appear in other people’s eyes. We’ll never have peace if we entertain the false notion that our acceptance with God is dependent upon our approval of others. “For if we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8). Ultimately, it makes no difference what other people think, as long as we’re doing the right thing. Jesus only did the right thing and was crucified.
5. If we want peace we must get into the dual habit of prayer and study. I know of nothing that is more peace-inducing than the practice of these disciplines. A person who is rarely at peace is probably not praying and studying on a regular basis. So, set aside some quiet time to get in touch with God, who “gave His only begotten Son” and if He “did not spare His son, but delivered Him up for all, will He not freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, “In all things, you are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”! (Rom. 8:37). Through Him we can conquer anxiety, stress, and inner conflict. Believe it and pray.
- Randy Clark
