PEACE LIKE A RIVER

 

Prov 4:23

 

Where do you find peace in the midst of the chaos? I’m referring to when life decisions, and things you need to do all of a sudden become stressful, where do you turn? We know our only hope is in Christ as we reflect upon His grace in saving sinners, but where do you find peace. Daily peace? It’s one thing to know that God is our hope, and our peace; but its another thing to put into practice. We can read all the passages about His peace, seek His peace, rest in His peace; but when the rubber hits the road, do you apply the wisdom of the Scripture to your life. I mean, a genuine peace that sustains you through the good and the bad days. Take for example Horatio Spafford, in 1873 his whole life was turned upside down by the news from your dear wife on the other side of the ocean that reads “Saved alone” Heartbreaking news for anyone to receive, but if you could see into the life of this family before this telegram, it’s even more amazing to see the peace of God in one’s life.

What do I mean? Before this terrible news happened, not unlike Job in the Old Testament of the Bible, tragedy came in great measure to this happy home before this telegram. His four years old, son, Horatio Jnr, died suddenly of scarlet fever. Then only a year later, in October 1871, a massive fire swept through downtown Chicago, devastating the city, including many properties owned by Horatio who was a respected business man in Chicago’s famous fire of 1871. That day, almost 300 people lost their lives, and around 100,000 were made homeless. Despite their own substantial financial loss, the Spafford’s sought to demonstrate the love of Christ, by assisting those who were grief-stricken and in great need.

Two years later, in 1873, Spafford scheduled a boat trip to Europe in order to give his wife and daughters a much-needed vacation and time to recover from the tragedy. He also went to join Moody and Sankey on an evangelistic campaign in England. Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead of him while he remained in Chicago to take care of some unexpected last minute business. On November 22^nd 1873, the ship carrying his wife, Anna, and their four daughters” Annie, 11; Maggie, 9; Bessie, 5; and Tannetta, 2, while crossing the Atlantic on the steamship to Europe, their vessel was struck by an iron sailing ship. Two hundred and twenty-six people lost their lives, as the steamship sank within only twelve minutes.

All four of Horatio Spafford’s daughters perished, but remarkably Anna Spafford survived the tragedy. Those rescued, including Anna, who was found unconscious, floating on a plank of wood, subsequently arrived in South Wales. Upon arrival there, Anna immediately sent a telegram to her husband, which included the words “Saved alone….” Spafford soon left to join his grieving wife. He was greatly comforted by God when the ship passed over the approximate spot where his daughters drowned. This is alluded to in the words, “When sorrows like sea billows roll—Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul.”

What lead this man to write such beautiful, peaceful, words

to an already tragic situation? 

How could Spafford possibly proclaim “It is well with my soul” in light of the numerous tragedies he endured, including the loss of his young son to scarlet fever? This song reveals at least two reasons. First, he knew that all of his sins had been “nailed to the cross." Second, the final line of his song ends with two short words “Even so” The same ending as Rev 22:20-21 says “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Rev 22:20–21. Spafford longed for Christ’s return because he was convinced that he would dwell with His Creator and would be reunited with his precious children. Incredible as it may seem, this man was able to apply the genuine peace as he wrote “It Is Well with My Soul” even after, enduring some of the most difficult trials imaginable. 

The Proverb before us reads. “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (v23)  Life was happening and continuing for Horatio Spafford, despite the fact he had four children to bury in the coming weeks. How was he able to do this? It’s a peace this world knows nothing about, truly. It’s a peace that sustains the heart to be vigilant in ever situation because of what Jesus Christ has done on our behalf. It’s a peace that produces perseverance, and a heart that is clear of guilt and shame. It’s a peace as the hymn song, “When peace like a river, attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say. It is well, it is well, with my soul” "Peace is like a river" is a metaphor suggesting a deep, flowing, life-giving, and constant tranquility of heart.

 

This is seen in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, “For thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the LORD shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.” Isaiah 66:12-14

 

Water nourishes life, just as peace sustains the soul, which reveals the springs of your life. The feeling of peace can be as vast and profound as an ocean or a flooding stream.

 

It’s a peace that guards our hearts from daily disappointments and the evil of darkness. We guard our hearts because good and evil find their way into them, and eventually escape out through our mouths. Jesus said, “And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:14-23

 

As Christians, we are to read and meditate on God’s word, so that it can dwell in our hearts to bring about peace that is undefiled. In the Hebrew language, we would see this word for peace is called “Shalom” It’s a word we’re familiar with, but its biblical definition is much more complex than our English word, peace. In the original language, “Shalom” is defined as completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfection, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. We guard our hearts so that the peace of Christ controls our thoughts, our wills, and emotions, for every situation we face. That is why one must keep his heart true to God’s word, pure and unpolluted by the world’s poisonous springs.

 

In the Book of Proverbs, we find that peace, or the lack thereof, is threaded throughout this wonderful book of wisdom. 

Wisdom Promises peace: "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm" Prov 1:33

 

It produces a Peaceful Heart: "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones" Prov 14:30

 

Peace keeps us from entertaining Fighting: "It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling" Prov 20:3

 

Peace equals righteous Living before man. "When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" Prov 16:7

 

Peace is a necessary trait to the enjoyment of life. “For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:10-11

 

Here in our text, peace guards Your Heart. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" Prov 4:23

 

As Believers We Should….. 

Love peace…..Zech 8:19

Seek peace…..Psalm 34:14

Follow peace….. 2 Tim 2:22

Follow the things that make for peace…..  Rom 14:19

Cultivate peace….. Psalm 120:7

Speak peace…. Esther 10:3

Live in peace…… 2 Cor 13:11

Endeavor to have peace with all men….. Rom 12:18

Pray for it among believers…… Psalm 122:6-8

Blessedness of promoting peace……Matt 5:9

 

Biblical peace…..

Is Our Source Of Peace….. True, lasting peace isn't from worldly things but from trusting and obeying God’s divine wisdom, it bringing inner security, clear eyes to see.

 

Why? God is the giver of peace. “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” Rom 15:33

 

Gives The Believer Actionable Steps…. Wisdom teaches you to step away from arguments, choose reconciliation, and build a home, a life free from entering the chaos.

 

Gives the Believer a healthy Internal State…. A tranquil heart, free from envy and jealousy, promotes physical and spiritual health, while negative emotions corrode.

 

Gives the Believer the Blessings of Obedience…. Following God's path brings blessings, including peace and a more secure life through His grace.

 

I want us to look at three ways to fulfill this text of Scripture this morning as we enter the Christmas season. (v23)

Peace With God

The only way to have peace with God is through the confession

of the gospel in one’s life.

 

This means you must be reconciled with God through faith in Jesus Christ, removing of sin, and establishing a right relationship, leading to genuine peace, and hope. This is distinct from worldly peace, and involves confessing sins and living in the grace He gives you. Worldly peace is unattainable to some extent! Why? Mankind craves what we don’t have, and we don’t want what we do have. Mankind longs for peace, but the peace of God is the opposite of all that the world has to offer. God took the initiative in pursuing peace with us by sending His Son to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life; His crucifixion paid for the sins of all who would trust in Him and His resurrection guarantees our justification before God. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He is the One who gives us peace with God. That’s why the message of salvation in Christ is called the “gospel of peace” Paul wrote, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Eph 6:14-15

 

Peace with God means our consciences are cleared. The overwhelming weight of guilt that plagued us all is gone, placed on Jesus on the cross. The shame that we rightly felt for the wicked deeds we had done was carried by Jesus. Peace with God allows the Christian to live without fear of death or eternity. As Paul said, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom 5:1 This is why Paul wrote, “And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” Col 1:20-22. Our peace is secured in the knowledge that Jesus has done all that was necessary to make us right with God. Human beings were created to live in peace with God, but sin destroyed that peace and still destroys it for everyone who refuses Jesus’ offer of salvation. Above all, mankind needs to find peace with God. On account of God’s perfect holiness, we can only find peace if we have been forgiven by Him.

Peace Of God

 

Jesus said, “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.” John 14:27. The peace that Christ offers is not like that of the world. Yes! The world offers you peace, but its deceptive and tainted with self-righteousness. The best we can expect from the natural world is unfairness and death. Even man’s best attempt to be moral, without God, lead only to frustration. Christ's "peace" here refers to a hope and reassurance that goes beyond what a fallen world can offer. It is permanent, guaranteed, eternal, and this is the peace of God the believer has, that is secured in heaven. Nothing can take that away from the true believer! That is a peace this world doesn’t understand, or want for themselves. Why? It requires repentance and faith. Because it comes from the Prince of peace. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

 

Jesus came to bring a different kind of peace on earth. At His birth, the angels declared, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:14

 

Jesus brought with Him God’s kingdom peace, a peace

of God in the midst of the chaos.

 

The peace the world offers is fleeting and ultimately runs out, whereas true peace comes solely from knowing God, through Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus is our peace, the more we draw near to Him, the closer our relationship with Him, then the more we will EXPERIENCE that peace of God in our day to day lives. As we pursue Jesus, we’re going to find that peace is being established in our daily lives. Seeking Jesus will make evident of that peace. Don’t seek the peace, seek Jesus, and draw near to Him, and that peace will BE there! Paul Washer wrote, "If you do not know God, you cannot know peace." And he went on to say, "Peace isn't the absence of trouble, it's the presence of Jesus." Oh, how true that is when your three-foot world is crashing around you. The peace of God, is the idea that one can have a deep sense of calm, and assurance even when surrounded by the "storms" of life. This is why the disciples could do what they did with those who opposed them with threats and death. This is why Job could continue after the massive loss of life, and fortune. This is why Horatio Spafford could write such heart felt words about our God through the tears of suffering. This is why the church can press on for upward call in Christ Jesus; we have a peace that guards our heart for eternity. The Philippian church was reminded of this truth. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:7

 

It's a supernatural gift, a spiritual security that remains regardless of circumstances, rooted in faith and God's presence, allowing believers to experience wholeness and freedom from fear. This peace is not about you never making mistakes, or measuring up, it's about having faith that God is who He says He is. He does what He says He does. Peace is something that we receive by faith and then we also grow in it. We have to let it grow in us, naturally as a spring. (v23)

 

If God is peace, then to know God

is to have a peace of God. 

Peace With One Another. 

The Christian life should be modeled after the Lord Jesus Christ in the new birth through the gospel, as we live with one another. This peace means…. actively working for harmony in relationships through love, forgiveness, humble communication, and mutual support, not just avoiding conflict, but resolving it by talking and listening. Paul wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Rom 12:18 It’s through His peace that Jesus, toke our sin upon His sinless self, to appease the Father’s wrath by becoming our peace and reconciliation. Our lives should be to defuse a problem, not escalate one, but to bring peace to the chaos, not start more chaos, or start fights.

 

The Christian uses all their influence to promote peace and charity on the earth, in private, and in public. Why? Jesus said so. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matt 5:9 The reason for this is simple! A life is at stake; in retrospect to the Gospel and their eternal soul. We strive to make all men love one another through the proclamation of the gospel. "Love is the fulfilling of the law” Rom 13:10

 

The opposite of this is a person who….. 

Love to spread lies and rumors about certain individuals.

They love to gossips about anyone and everyone.

Always the first to show how discontent they are about everything.

They find joy when they hear reports of trouble or scandals.

Always fault-finding and negative about everything.

Unwilling to work towards peace, because they would rather fight.

 

If this is you and I’m not saying it is, or accusing anyone. But if this is your, this is your natural disposition of life; there is a good indication that you need to do self-examination to whether you are His. Because you are not displaying the peace that Christ gives the church. Peace is to keep one’s heart with all perseverance, and to have a clear, and guilt free conscience, resting in Christ’s supply of peace. In relation to this peace, Jesus would even go on to say to His disciples, “These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:12. In the early church we see this standard of truth lived out. Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35. Bible believing Christians caring and sticking together and supporting each other. This was the early church’s hope and fellowship and it is still true for today and tomorrow. Jesus gives us the power to love, comfort, care, and the ability to endure one another. Why? Because this what builds up our community and our relationships with one another, and this glorifies God.

Scripture is very clear about this peace in the church. 

“Be at peace with one another” – Mark 9:50

“Be at peace among yourselves” – 1 Thessalonians 5:13

“Live in harmony with one another” – Romans 12:16

“Pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building” – Romans 14:19

 

Paul wrote, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, (Preside in your hearts; sit as umpire there; govern and control you.  to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Col 3:14-15

 

This includes the ones that rub you the wrong way at times. I came across a post by someone and here is a challenge for each of us. The writer wrote this, “Here’s a different way to look at all this. God has put us together for a reason, so that we can grow in our love for each other. So maybe that person you can’t get along with is specifically here to help you grow. Maybe that person that rubs you the wrong way is here for your benefit; a gift of God to you, to help you learn to love more deeply. And so, if you go off to another church in order to avoid them (thinking perhaps that other churches don’t have such problems), maybe you are really running from God. And who knows? Maybe God will put someone just like them in the new church you go to – for your benefit. Does the person annoy you? Ask God for more love. And ask God to give you his eyes for that person so that you can see what is good about that person and why God loves them. And pray for that person. This not only is a blessing for them; it is a tremendous way to change your heart and your attitudes toward the person. We’ve got to grow in our love for one another.”

 

This is what should be flowing from our hearts, healthy spring water that is quenching for the soul that produces a peace towards one another. Above every watch, that is, more than everything else that needs guarding, “guard your heart” The heart is the source to everything in your life; the heart is the source of the river of your life. We can assume that everything you do flows from it; the heart controls every member of your body “keep your heart” healthy, resting in the God of peace. It’s the command center, so is your command center resting in the promise of peace? The world….. Will continue to have wars and interpersonal conflicts until Jesus comes to establish true, lasting peace, but God will give His peace to those who trust Him. Jesus took the chastisement of our peace, and has made it possible for us to have peace with God. Once His peace rules in our hearts, we are able to share that peace with others; we become ambassadors of peace and ministers of reconciliation. May this peace be what you guard vigilantly ever day, even in the chaos; and may this peace flow rivers of fresh, life giving, water.