I received an e-mail today which said that "Stress is more than a five letter word". There is some truth in that humorous thought. We live in a time when everyone seems to be living in stress. Some of it is from the economic times that we live in. Some might be from the media which reminds us every day how bad things are. Some might be our unexpected material expectations - we need everything and we need it now. And some of it relates to real physical problems that we encounter. Right now we have two friends who are in the last days of their lives, a friend's granddaughter who has swine flu, several friends who are in the hospital, several friends and relatives who've had to relocate because of physical problems, and several who probably should relocate to receive adequate care. All around us folks are facing real problems. And yet, while we can't avoid these stressful situations, we can have a friend who can give us a lasting, perfect peace in such times. As we cast our cares on Jesus, He is faithful to give us peace and walk with us through these fiery trials. I hope that you can testify to such times in your life. I assume that Warren Cornell must have experienced that when in 1889 he penned the words to this week's hymn. The music was also written that year by W. George Cooper. Maybe times were stressful then, as well.(1) 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!
(2) What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
(3) I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control;
For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
(4) And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
(5) Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
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