Peace like a River

"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 48-18


Imagine; a river running at your feet. Your standing on the bank and you hear the water rushing by. You can picture large rocks standing in the middle. Big enough rocks to possibly halt the waters flow, but instead the water continues to rush on, around, and over them. You can see white foam begin to form and the base of the rocks. A large stick floats by.
OH the sound of the rushing water, such an amazing, peaceful sound. It sounds like the perfect place to relax, No?


Like a loving parent, God has given us boundaries to teach us, direct us, and keep us safe. He promises us peace and righteousness when we obey Him. However, when we reuse to obey His commands, our peace is threatened.


Lysa Terkeurst puts it this way; "God chose such a unique word to describe His peace- a river! A river is not calm and void of activity. It is active and cleansing and confident of the direction it is heading in. It doesn't get caught up with the rocks in it's path. It flows over and around them all the while smoothing out their jagged edges and allowing them to add to it's beauty rather than take away form it."


Beth Moore says "To have peace like a river is to have security and tranquility while melting the many bumps and unexpected turns on life's journey. Peace is submission to a trust worthy authority, not resignation from activity."


When we completely submit to God's authority and obey His commands, He gives us true peace. Not the kind of peace that we think we will achieve when we back out of a commitment because we feel too overwhelmed, But the kind of peace that all of a sudden removes that overwhelming feeling and is replaced with overflowing joy, all the while we move forward and keep the commitment.


God's peace will never allow us to become complacent and inactive. God's peace will give us strength and courage to keep raging on like a river!


Father,
Thank You for empowering us with Your peace. Thank You for blessing us with the gift of peace when we obey You. Thank You for loving us so much that you correct and guide us like Your children. I pray Father that You will help us to submit to Your authority in our lives so that we may have the peace that only You can give.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen