My peace can be like a river?

We tend to think of peace like a calm lake. And indeed there is a stillness to peace. But that’s another post. This verse speaks of the motion of peace. It is the motion of life flowing according to its intended design.

When God set up the universe, He did nothing willy-nilly. He embedded principles and laws into the function of everything He made—from science to relationships to spirituality. For that reason we would be wise to heed His instructions. He knows how it works.

His commands are wise, and they are right. They work. That’s why there’s peace in following them. And no peace in disobeying them. It’s like stepping out of the current, out of the flow. Disconnected and no more motion.

We saw in Isaiah 48:22 that there is no peace for the wicked. A breach in relationship keeps them from the source of peace. They are separated from God and therefore separated from peace.

If we are in Christ, we are no longer separated from God. But our disobedience produces a disruption or distortion of life flowing the way it was designed.

That by itself motivates me to choose obedience to any command He gives. Whatever He says, works. Who wants to swirl in an eddy over on the sidelines or sit stuck in a puddle when I’m given the opportunity of a flowing river?

Jesus’ intention is that rivers of living water flow out of us (John 7:37-39). I want to be so centered in His commands and full of the life of His Spirit that I can stand in the middle of an office or worship service or team meeting or grocery store and create a river. Whoa! What would that look like?

A river is ever new, ever replenished. In constant supply for me AND affecting all those who are downstream from me. There is nothing boring or static about this proposition. We’re talking about dynamic peace, full of motion and energy and flow.

My peace can be like a river!