Peace Like A River

Have you ever stood in church as the congregation lifted up this hymn, or perhaps sang along as it played on your car stereo?

I’ve got peace like a river

I’ve got peace like a river

I’ve got peace like a river in my soul!

I feel like I hear this song in the moments where I have the least amount of peace imaginable. I will hear the first chorus and run to God in confession, praying, “Lord, I do not have peace like a river! I have peace like… a single drop of rain on a hot sidewalk.” As if to tell God, I do not have lasting peace that I can walk in, I only have the slightest thought of peace that leaves me desperate for more!

It's not that God has rescinded His peace from me in these moments, because Philippians 4:7 promises, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Rather, I have surrendered His peace in one way or another, believing a lie or substituting His perfect peace for an absence of troubles.

Take notice that Philippians 4:7 doesn’t say that the peace of God will surround every circumstance and cause perfect harmony in all our situations. Actually, it says the opposite! God promises peace in our hearts and minds.

Biblical peace is God’s permeating presence, it isn’t an absence of unrest or conflict. Peace is His presence that is pure and steadfast at all times, that we must be vigilant to remain rooted in, especially in the times of unrest or conflict.

This peace, being a facet on the fruit of the Spirit, only comes after we have peace WITH God through salvation in Christ Jesus. Then we get to walk in the peace OF God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As Christians, when we seem to be feeling a lack of peace, it is because God is revealing how we are finding counterfeit peace in our circumstances, rather than in Him. Circumstances change, but He never does.

Walking in Biblical peace means that our lives are driven by the peace of God within us flowing outward through our attitudes and actions. It isn’t the outward circumstances that determine our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, it is the inward peace of God that He has given us.

NAME, hold of the peace that Christ has already given us, as we read in John 14:27, “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”

Will you please join me in prayer now?

Lord, Your peace is perfect, and it passes all earthly understanding. Forgive me for the moments where I have forsaken Your peace, and sought a counterfeit peace in earthly things, or attempting to manufacture my own peace by manipulating external circumstances. I surrender to You and walk in Your peace that You have already given to me. Give me the fortitude to never surrender Your peace, this perfect gift. Show me any moment where I am living by my circumstances rather than by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

peace and blessings,

Kathy Branzell

President