When peace like a river attended my wayWhen sorrows like sea billows rollWhatever my lot, Thou has taught me to sayIt is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well (it is well)With my soul (with my soul)It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thoughtMy sin, not in part but the wholeIs nailed to the cross and I bear it no morePraise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh, my soul
And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sightThe clouds be rolled back as a scrollThe trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descendEven so, it is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
“It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888)
was an American lawyer and Presbyterian church elder.
To be whole, safe, sound, calm, placid, serene, and tranquil.
The deepest longing of the human heart.
…And Jesus is the only one who can bring that internal peace.
To start with we need to have peace with God. Romans 5:1 tells us, ” Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” If we want God’s peace we have to ask for it. This is possible only “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” In Christ, God has made a permanent peace with us. And since He is the one who made it, it is peace that can never be lost. By giving ourselves over to Jesus, relinquishing all our transgressions, asking for forgiveness, peace begins. The beginning of peace with God. John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Our circumstances, people or things is not where true peace comes from. True peace can only be attained from Jesus. Jesus’ peace is especially His to give, as He purchased it with His precious blood, making Him the only salvation for a perishing world. With Jesus we have peace in difficult times. He gives us a quiet heart.
After we’ve made our peace with God, we then receive the peace of God. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This peace of God is like having a sentinel walking across, back and forth, who guards your heart. The Holy Spirit is that sentinel, whose job is to stand and keep watch. The peace God promised is His protection, His presence, His comfort and His encouragement when problems and worry arise. When you take it to the Lord in prayer, the proper responses become available and peace ensues.
We later develop peace through the Holy Spirit. His job is to convict believers and guide them into all truth and points them to Jesus who is available perpetually. Jesus tells us in John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” The Holy Spirit listens and then relates what Jesus is telling Him to you. Jesus is the key to what you hear, speak and do, through all things when you love Him with all your soul, mind and heart. A peace developed over time will have you living in that peace always.
There is peace in the Word of God. When you read the Bible God imparts knowledge and wisdom, which when you know how or why something is, you have a more comfortable feeling about it. There is a verse for every occasion of your life in the Bible, and when you read it and study it, they just seem to pop out at you and you get that A-HA moment of understanding. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love Your law and nothing causes them to stumble.” And Psalm 85:8 tells us, “I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace.” When God speaks you will have peace. Your Bible is the voice of God speaking to you at any given moment, for any given situation.
God provides peace in prayer. When we pray, God is listening. He doesn’t want flowery words and phrases, just what’s in your heart. It is said in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” There is a lovely prayer from David in Psalm 61: 1-4 which says, “Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your Tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.” This is an assurance of God’s eternal protection. Prayer is the answer. Prayer never fails. When problem is worry, the prescription is prayer.
Shalom/Peace Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” And when your mind is stayed on our Lord and God the Father, Revelation 21:4 assures us that, “God will wipe away every year from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Shalom for evermore. Oh what a day that will be!!
If you are interested in obtaining this Peace asking the Lord into your heart is a wonderful start. By praying this little prayer with an open heart He will come in and start a relationship with you. When you wiggle your toes in the River of Peace that God provides, you will be shimmering with Hope! Ask Him in today.
