THE PEACE THAT JESUS GIVES

         We've all been there and have experienced those times in life when we are discouraged, fearful, worried, perplexed and weighed down with care.  It is part of life. It might be due to the death of a loved one.  It might be because of a medical test result we are waiting for or have received.  It might be because our company is downsizing.  It might be due to bad choices our children have made.  It might be due to difficult decisions we are facing.  There are so many events in life which can overwhelm us.  As I am writing this I, too, am facing concerns over serious medical tests I am facing the next few days and the possible diagnosis.  But as I was working today, the Lord brought to my mind the words of this week's hymn choice.  It is a hymn which I haven't heard in years, but the Lord saw fit to bring it back to my mind today when I needed some encouragement.  Have you experienced this extra special peace from God, a peace that passeth all understanding, in your times of distress?  Years ago I received a telephone call that my parents were in an auto accident.  My mother was killed instantly and dad was hospitalized.  It was an overwhelming experience, but I vividly recall the special peace that God provided for my family during this very difficult time in our lives.  My mother's favorite verse was 1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."  We found that promise so true.  There are numerous promises of peace for God's children found in the scriptures.  Psalm 29:11, "The Lord will give strength to His people;The Lord will bless His people with peace."  I especially appreciate Philippians 4:7, "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  When I log on to my computer each day I see a picture of a mother bird covering her two babies with her wings.  The verse I've included with the picture is Psalm 91:4, "He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with His wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection."  The protection of a mother in a time of storm. The words to this song were penned by Haldor Lillenas (1885-1959).  He was born in Norway but emigrated to America as a child.  His family settled first in South Dakota and then moved to Oregon in 1889.  After attending college and becoming a pastor, he later founded the Lillenas Publishing Company.  He is said to have written some 4,000 hymns and supplied music for many evangelists.  Now I don't know what prompted the writing of this particular hymn, but I assume that he must have personally experienced the peace and calm which God alone can provide.  I don't know what your period of discouragement or fear might be today, but put your trust in the Lord and experience hope renewed and the peace which He will give in your time of challenge.  I know that I will do the same as I face the tests and unknown results in my life in the next few days.  May we experience that peace that passeth all understanding.

1.     Like the sunshine after rain,

Like a rest that follows pain,

Like a hope returned again,

Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Oh, the peace that Jesus gives

Never dies; it always lives.

Like the music of a psalm,

Like a glad, eternal calm,

Is the peace that Jesus gives,

Is the peace that Jesus gives.

2.     Like the soft, refreshing dew,

Like a rosy daybreak new,

Like a friendship tender, true,

Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Oh, the peace that Jesus gives

Never dies; it always lives.

Like the music of a psalm,

Like a glad, eternal calm,

Is the peace that Jesus gives,

Is the peace that Jesus gives.

3.     Like a river deep and long,

With its current ceaseless, strong,

Like the cadence of a song,

Is the peace that Jesus gives

Oh, the peace that Jesus gives

Never dies; it always lives.

Like the music of a psalm,

Like a glad, eternal calm,

Is the peace that Jesus gives,

Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Listen to it here.   LISTEN