"Though billows may sweep ore the wild, stormy deep; in Jesus I am safe evermore."

Peace Like A River

By Katherine Purdy

Peace: to be safe from harm in your spirit, mind and body. Tranquility. A pause in unrest. Cessation of war and violence. People seek it. Protesters demand it. Soldiers fight to achieve it. Politicians promise it and yet it is beyond man’s ability to grasp it.

There is only one source of peace. It was bought at a high price by the creator of the universe. The Prince of Peace, The Lord Jesus Christ.

It floods over our soul calming the spirit. Relieving the body of anxiety and giving rest. It cannot be diminished by outside pressures just as a river cannot stop flowing because of a piece of driftwood or a boat rowing in it.

A river can be dammed up, redirected to provide energy for electricity, water to be purified for consumption, it’s a home to fish and a source of life sustaining water for other critters. Transportation for boats and a source of food for fishermen.

It is always flowing. Ever constant. Sustaining. And at times a picture of tranquility.

Peace, like a river, can provide security and contentment to those around us.

Encouraging others to come to the true source to find it. The world cannot fathom

the peace that comes from having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just like joy, peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The closer we are to the Lord, the more we read and obey His Word, the more we realize the benefit of this wonderful gift that remains constant.

I love the story of Jesus resting in the boat in the Sea of Galilee when a terrible storm came up and the disciples were beside themselves with worry, thinking they were about to die. They had just witnessed the Lord Jesus Christ perform an impossible miracle of feeding 5000 men with women and children with just five loaves and two small fishes. Everyone had eaten until they were full and there were 12 baskets full left over. They had seen Him heal the sick and other miracles. And yet, only a short time later, His disciples forgot His wondrous power and panicked.

“Master, careth not that that we perish? And He arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, ‘Peace be still.’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, ‘why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly and said to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”( Mark 4:37-42)

Only He can calm the storm of your soul and give you peace.

I have peace like a river in my soul. Do you?

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)