Peace like a River

 I love to go to the mountains for a time of vacation. Usually, there is a nice little river close by. It is so relaxing and peaceful to go and sit by the river. The coolness from the stream and the sounds of the water flowing gently past are very refreshing. I could just sit there for a long time. I have also been to the beach. I like to get out in the waves and allow the waves to wash over me. There is so much water and so much force with each wave that I have to work to stay standing upright.

God uses these two word pictures to make an appeal to His people. (Isaiah 48:18) "Oh, that you had listened to My commands. Then, you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea." I believe there are two great truths given to us in this verse. Let's ask God to speak to us. It could make a huge difference in our lives.

Most people do not have peaceful lives. They have constant strife and conflict. This comes out of their relationships with family and friends, as well as those in the world around them. There is also financial stress which robs them of peace. There are those who have physical problems and diseases that rob them of the peace they should have. God gave us His commands, so we could obey them and then, we can have peace in every situation of life.

God's peace is not the absence of conflict. He gives us tangible peace in the midst of our troubles. He does this when we know His commands, and we keep them. He shows us in His Word how to deal with every situation of life. When we do things His way, we have peace in us, and we are at peace with others, as much as possible. That is because His righteousness rolls over us. It flows over us so that others see Jesus in us, and we are right with God and with others. All of this, just because we keep God's commands. I pray that we will all do that and have peace and abundant righteousness.

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Tomorrow, I intend to red Isaiah 49-51.