Peace Like A River

"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." Isaiah 48:18

Do you have peace in your heart today?

I pray you do.  But, perhaps the thought of ever experiencing peace is something so far away that you cannot begin to imagine it.

What exactly is peace, anyway?

If we examine the word "peace" in its original Hebrew "שָׁלוֹם" we discover a word that means complete well-being and wholeness in every way possible, including health and prosperity physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for you and your whole family, as well!  It is a place of not wanting for anything at all in any area of our life.  Who wouldn't want this?

Just exactly how do we receive it, this peace?

Scripture tells us that apart from being right with God, we cannot achieve real peace.  And this is a peace that is not dependent upon circumstance.  It is much deeper than that.  It is a peace that because of being completely attached to Jesus, we receive anything and everything we could ever possibly need or want directly from Him.  It is like the baby growing in a mother's womb whose umbilical cord provides all the nourishment the baby needs to live and grow.

Jesus tells us in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  You should read all of John 14 and 15 recognizing that the peace Jesus gives His followers is this "shalom," deep and abiding, nourishing and complete.  It is unfathomable, unexplainable, and wrapped in the fullness of His love and joy.

Have you ever watched a gently flowing river?  It has no thought or care, yet its gentle flow gives and provides so very much!  Beyond its abounding beauty it gives life to all who drink from it.  It can provide power to whole cities and counties for many miles.  People and animals alike flock to it to find rest, pleasure, life.

And what about the waves of the sea?  The refreshment of these waves rolling over us requires no effort on our part.  The sea does all the work.  This is God's treasured promise of righteousness when we are connected to Him, walking in obedience to Him.

Oh, that you and I might have this peace, this righteousness, not just for ourselves, but that we might give all that the river and sea have to offer—that everyone around us might find abundant life in Jesus.

Goodnight, Runners.