PEACE LIKE A RIVER

Sitting by a river, captivated by the flow of the water, listening to the pleasurable sound, brings me such joy and peace that I yearn to stay there, relishing the euphoria. Especially today….

The day I sit to write this, the world in which we live is in perilous times. The world is in fear, experiencing a pandemic, named COVID-19. We are living in unprecedented times, a time of uncertainty. Or is it?

There are numerous sections of the Word of God that announces the events of the last days. We definitely are experiencing the birth pains of what is to come.

To look in the natural sense of what is going on, we see:

• Loved ones dying alone due to this disease
• Loved ones on respirators, helping them to stay alive
• Health being scrutinized across the globe
• A lack of necessary medical supplies, unable to keep up with the demand
• People having needful surgeries and babies being born, with no family members being permitted to be with the patients
• Job Loss and failing businesses
• Financial disaster looms in the distance
• Most being quarantined indefinitely
• Many questions with no answers

This is more than enough to cause the panic and fear we find among us.

However, may I remind us that our Faith can push fear completely out of our lives!

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

What we think upon, what we dwell upon, will either increase our faith or increase our fear.

Philippians 4:6-9 – ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Although there are those of us who are capitalizing on our home life to invest time with our families and to invest into the Kingdom of God, there are many finding themselves hopeless and depressed. So, let me ask you this question. Where are you finding hope during these turbulent times? I pray your answer lies in this statement “My hope is found in Jesus Christ alone”!

Do you need hope?

Romans 15:13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you need peace?

It is not a time to run from God, but to Him! As Christians, our secret weapon is -JESUS- for any battle! Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). So, the only way to have peace is trusting in Jesus! Take the time and:

• Fall in love with Jesus! Get to know Him intimately, who He is!
• No matter what you hear or see, add the words “But God”, knowing He is your help!
• Study God’s Word, recount His promises to you!
• Show God’s love to others. Help your family, your neighbors in their time of need. Now is the time to let the light of Jesus shine through you. As Isaiah 60 begins – Arise and Shine, for you have a great opportunity to be a messenger for the Lord Jesus Christ! Ask Him where you can serve!
• Remember that God is in control of each present moment!
• Remember that God does hold tomorrow in His hands!
• Remember that God is our protector, healer and provider!
• Remember that God did make a way for us to spend eternity with Him through Jesus Christ our Lord! It is wise to remember that eternity is forever, something that is hard for us to fathom, but true.

ALL OF THIS, WHICH ENABLES US TO HAVE

“PEACE LIKE A RIVER”!

May I leave you with precious words from God’s Holy Word and a prayer that you will receive from Him all you need to have “Peace Like A River”:

1 Peter 1:2 – Dear friends, God the Father chose you long ago and knew you would become his children. And the Holy Spirit has been at work in your hearts, cleansing you with the blood of Jesus Christ and making you to please him. May God bless you richly and grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear.

Psalms 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. ² Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³ Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

(But God, pause and think about that!)