Peace

Peace

There are many definitions for peace in the dictionary.   

Most deal with a picture of  freedom or a life without conflict or stress.

But I like this explanation:

Peace – The calm assurance that God is working regardless

 of the circumstances and no matter how it appears.

A  Picture of Peace

There once was a King who offered a prize

to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.

Many artists tried. 

The King looked at all the pictures,

but there were only two he really liked

and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake.

The lake was a perfect mirror,

for peaceful towering mountains were all around it.

Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

 All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

 

The other picture had mountains, too.

But these were rugged and bare.

Above was an angry sky from which rain fell 

and in which lightening played.

Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall.

This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall

a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock.

In the bush a mother bird had built her nest.

There, in the midst of the rush of angry water,

sat the mother bird on her nest in perfect peace.

 Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

'Because' explained the King, 'peace does not mean

to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.

Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and

still be calm in your heart.

That is the real meaning of peace.'

Author Unknown

 

WONDERFUL PEACE

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

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!

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!

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:

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 this sweet peace so sublime!

 

In  August 1889. Cornell & Cooper wrote this song at a camp meeting near West Bend, Wisconsin:

One day while seated in the tent, Mr. Cornell, following a period of deep introspection, wrote down the thoughts with which his mind had been busied. They later proved to be parts of this hymn, “Wonderful Peace”. Sinking again into introspective rumination, he arose, unwittingly dropped the written verses on the tent floor and went out. When Mr. Cooper entered the tent an hour or two later he discovered the paper. He was fascinated by the theme and the accompanying verses. It so fitted his own thinking that he filled in and completed the poem. Then sitting down at the organ he composed the melody as it has since been sung.

Words: Warren D. Cornell

Music: William G. Cooper

The only true peace is the peace that comes from the Lord.

The only real peace that I have dear Lord is in you.
The only real peace that I have dear Lord is in you.
With all life’s frustrations I need you and I know I do
Cause the only real peace that I have dear Lord is in you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,

 give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27