Glorious River. . .

Like a River Glorious - Arrangement by Bronn Journey

Oh to have perfect peace! Oh never to worry! Oh never to rush through life! Are any of these moments possible or something you think about? From personal experience, I can definitely say, “Yes, without a doubt.”

Will there be a time when I am no longer in pain every moment, every day? Will there be a time when I feel rested, instead of fatigued all day long? Will there be a time when every step no longer feels like an effort? From personal experience, I can definitely say, “Yes, without a doubt.” 

Two different perspectives in life; yet, both have the same answer. How is this possible? As the beautiful hymn, written by Frances Ridley Havergal in the 19th Century, says so well, “Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace. . .Stayed upon Jehovah, our hearts are fully blessed, finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Refrain:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully, all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.   
   
Regardless of what barrier or challenge the river in my life may encounter, it always continues flowing in one direction towards its destination as it patiently perseveres both consistently and persistently.  Why? Because I wholly put my trust in God. For He is our only source to our destination where we will find our perfect peace and rest. May you find God's perfect peace and rest for your life.

"For the Lord gives strength and blesses with peace." 
Psalm 29:11   

Peace is the hand of God,
Touching your aching soul.
~ Crystal Roberts ~

Hidden Places of Treasures. . .

Soothing Relaxation #89 - Arrangement by Peder B. Helland
(Please click for background music, as you read this message of H.I.M.)

As my husband and I have been driving along the country roads these past few weeks, I have enjoyed not only the end of fall’s splendor and all its glory, but also the opportunity of watching the surrounding barns being abundantly replenished with this year’s bumper harvest of crops grown in our immediate area. There is no doubt, these crops will be savoured and considered hidden places of treasures during winter’s harsh blustery months of snow, wind and cold.  As I hear the roar of the winds and the feel the cold of winter coming upon us as I write, thankfully, I am reminded of the many hidden places of treasures found in God’s Word, while feeling winter’s harshness during the journey of my life. Of the many treasures that give me pleasure when I meditate on God’s Word it is, without a doubt, the Book of Psalms, which I have turned to over and over again, while living with cancer. Here are a few of my hidden places of treasures that I have discovered and uncovered in the following beautiful Psalms, which I pray bring comfort and consolation to you ~
Psalms 4 ~ By Trusting  in the Lord, I will not only lay down in peace, but will sleep peacefully for only God makes me dwell in safety (verse 8). 

Psalms 6 ~ When I am weak and weary as I cry out to the Lord, He not only hears my prayer but Receives my prayer (verse 9).

Psalms 8 ~ How Excellent is Thy name O Lord throughout the earth! You not only recognize man, but have crown him with Your glory and honour (verses 1 & 5). 

Psalms 16 ~ When I Abide with God, He not only shows me the path of life; but His presence in my life is filled with joy (verse 11). 

Psalms 23 ~ When I recognize the Lord as my Shepherd, He will not only comfort me when He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters, but He will never leave me or forsake me (verses 1-4). 

Psalms 34 ~ I will Uplift and continually bless the Lord always for when I turn to Him He hears me, and delivers me from all my fears (false-evidence-appearing-real) (verses 1 & 4).  

Psalms 46 ~ I know that God is my Refuge  and strength; He is always present in times of trouble in my life and all He asks of me is to “Be still and know that I am God” (verses 1 & 10).  

Psalms 118 ~ God’s love Endures  forever; and He is with me. He is my strength, my song and my salvation, whom I will exalt and praise forever (verses 1, 14 & 28).  

Not only do I find great assurance and reassurance in these hidden TREASURE(s) of scripture, but I also find great comfort and compassion in knowing Christ, Himself, is my hiding place where He keeps me ~
Safe ~ Thou art my hiding place; Thou will protect me from trouble, and surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7). 
Secure ~ You are my hiding place and my protector; I hope in Thy word (Psalm 119:114). 
Sure ~   For in the time of trouble He will hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle will He hide me; He will set me up upon a rock (Psalm 27:5). 

We can only praise an almighty God,
whose great power and understanding
are immeasurable always and forever.

Thirsty No More. . .

Only Jesus/Calvary's Love - Arrangement by Steve Green
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

I am often told when receiving a new medication to "drink plenty of water" as one of the side effects of the medication will often make me very parched.  Hence, with a glass in hand, I am regularly replenishing the water that my body needs so I am thirsty no more.

That being said, I have always found great comfort and solace being "beside" the water; not necessarily, "in" the water.  Consequently, when my husband and I, recently, moved to our new home that is beside the water, I have been truly blessed many a morning to observe its soothing beauty and calming majesty as the sun's rays sparkle and glisten from the water's waves.

Meanwhile, as I pursued the reference of "water" in the Bible, I learned it is actually mentioned 722 times and is often a metaphorical reference to "times of trouble" in our lives. However, there are also many references that pertain to Comfort, Consolation, and Compassion. Here are a few that I would like to share with you ~      

  

Psalm 23:2 – “He leadeth me 'beside' the still waters.”

God doesn't leave me to find the "still" waters on my own, but He Guides me.

God doesn't bring me to rough waters, but guides me to "calm" waters so He can Comfort me.

As my Shepherd, He, therefore, always takes Care of me.

Psalm 36:8-9 – “…Thou shalt make them drink of the 'river' of thy pleasures. For with thee is the 'fountain' of life…”
When we put our Confidence in God and are in constant Communion with God, then our lives shall be abundantly blessed with God’s over-flowing love for us as He sustains, restores, and purifies our lives.

Psalm 110:7 – “He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore shall he 'lift up' the head.”
God grace and power will always provide us with His comfort and consolation in our times of distress, when we put our ‘trust’ in Him.

I know all of this to be true, because when I daily “drink of the ‘Living ’ water that only Jesus can give to me, I am never thirsty; for the water that Jesus has given to me and is in me is a well of water that springs up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

So, if you are still Thirsty in your life, I encourage you to accept Jesus into your life so that He can fulfill His promise to you that you will thirst no more for only He can satisfy your soul!