Lesson 342: “Peace Like A River"
Isaiah had brought a shocking announcement that God planned to deliver Israel into the hands of Assyria. Israel would experience difficult days to say the least. But during these hard dimes, God would not forget about His people. Their struggle, like our struggle, was a conflict between God’s righteousness and their/our unrighteousness. This tension creates fear, hostility and anger within us toward God. We like the Israelites, become fugitives fleeing from the very presence of the very One who can save us and give us peace in every situation. God will not be drawn into warfare with us. We have an advocate with the Father and a Mediator who keeps the peace.
David applauded God for His protection and help knowing that God was all powerful and faithful. “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Ps. 29:11). “Those who love your teachings will find true peace and nothing will defeat them” (Ps. 119:165). The ones who depend on the Lord and trust them with all their being will find true peace (Isa. 26:3). God told Israel that if they had of obeyed Him they would have found peace like a full-flowing river. Good things would have flowed to them like the waves of the sea (Isa. 48:18) and the same God is giving the same message and promise to us today.
If we accept the offer of being made right with God by our faith, we will have peace with God. Christ Himself is our peace (Eph. 2:14) and He is coming soon. God’s peace is so great that no human mind can understand it but rest assured that this peace will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:5-7). God made peace through the Blood of Christ’s death on the Cross and now we are no longer enemies of the Cross but true friends with God (Col. 1:19-22). God judges sin but He also restores His people into a peaceful relationship with Himself. The Israelites never learned (in my opinion) to be like the Apostle Paul (have we learned)? “I have learned to be content (peaceful) whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THORUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH” (Phil. 4:11-13). The One who gives this strength will give you peace.