April 28th, 2020

God’s Wonderful Peace
 
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.     John 14:27

     The storm was raging. The sea was beating against the rocks in huge, dashing waves. The lightning was flashing, the thunder was roaring, the wind was blowing; but the little bird was sound asleep in the crevice of the rock, its head tucked serenely under its wing. That is God’s glorious peace: to be able to sleep in the storm!
 
     Such is your peace, Christian! You always have reason for comfort and joy, peace is your rightful possession at all times.   You may find yourself in the hour of tempest when the storm is raging it’s fullest or in the day of calm when the sun shines brightly. Come what will, the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.
 
     In Christ we are relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities of this life. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest because He is the Master of all storms.
 
  The Song "Wonderful Peace" written by Rev. Warren D. Cornell, a 19th century pastor illustrates wonderfully this truth.  Many hymns come from personal tragedy. This hymn however comes from a time of happiness, reminding us that the same God who sends times of sorrow also sends times of joy. Rev. Cornell was so filled with joy after five days of camp meeting spent fellowshipping and eating with believers, testimonies, singing, and preaching, that the words flowed out of the overabundance of his soul.

Walking along meditating on the wonderful goodness & peace of God Rev. Cornell grabbed the back of an advertising flyer and penned these words:
 
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
 
   Beloved, when the storm is around you, when you feel like giving in to the temptation or giving up altogether, remember God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. It is our God that is able to keep us from falling; it is our God that keeps us by His power; it is our God that fights and gloriously wins our battles. It is our God that will deliver us from this world and take us to our glorious eternal home that is reserved in the heavens for us.
 
     The Christian rests serenely, peacefully, and joyfully in God’s great hand, knowing that He is able to keep that which you have given Him and that nothing will touch your life that He in His great love has not ordered.   Then and only then, will you have “Peace, wonderful, God-given glorious peace.”

                                                                     Keep your mind and heart stayed upon Him!
 
                                                                      Peace is not the absence of conflict from life,
                                                                          but the ability, thru God, to conquer it.
                    
Pastor Rudy