Thoughts on a Saturday

When Peace Like A River Hymn

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)

This evening I am thinking about issues we face ahead of us.  They feel much like a storm that won't let up, but it's really just a small thing.  In the middle of the storm I know the Lord is with us and we will come through.  We will see his goodness in the land of the living.  We will celebrate his care and provision.  It's easy to get overwhelmed.  There is so little we can actually take care of on our own.  Our smallness is easily revealed and we see how much we need God.  Those experiences are scary, but delightfully life giving because we are forced to rest in and trust God.  And so we do.  And as we rest we find his peace.  Once more I think of his invitation in Philippians 4:6-7,

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.