YES, LORD! That is what my heart says this to song. I love every single verse but it would take up too much space on the blog. 🙂 I have this song on a Travis Cottrell CD I bought at a Beth Moore conference several years ago. This old hymn was written in 1876 and was said to be a favorite of Hudson Taylor, the faithful missionary to China years ago. It would possibly be sung in churches today in such a lifeless manner that the amazing and powerful message would be totally lost! This makes me so sad. What a great old hymn. The last line of the Fourth Stanza says this: Keep me ever trusting, resting; fill me with Thy grace!
    That is GOOD stuff! No, that is THE BEST stuff.

If someone were to thumb through hymnals, other songs about peace fill many pages. It is Well with my Soul. Peace Like a River. Peace, Peace (Wonderful Peace). My Faith has found a Resting Place. Like a River Glorious.
When “praise choruses” first entered the church music scene in the 70s and 80s, the Maranatha Singers introduced us to several songs about God’s peace. They put many of the Psalmist thoughts about peace to simple and singable tunes. I personally love Chris Tomlin’s newer song I will Rise, which triumphantly expresses the peace we find in Christ. Songs about peace abound. BUT …

I’ve been so blessed in the past several days in my study of “peace” – the kind of the peace we find through knowing Jesus. It could not have come at a better time in my life. As usual, God was right on time with some great lessons for me. I’ve been listening to most of the songs I listed above and refreshing my heart and spirit by the great truths found in the lyrics. This week I’ve struggled with anxious thoughts rising to the top. But I am so thankful that my God knew what I needed this week and had me in His Word, reflecting on His peace! One of the stories we read about this week was the story of Lazarus’ death. Mary and Martha thought Jesus had messed up. He hadn’t been “on time”. But Jesus knew exactly what He was doing, and guided by His Father, He showed up just when He needed to for God’s glory to be on display!! That is how I can have peace. It’s all about God’s glory.
So, why the BUT? Well, we sing about His peace. We read about His peace. BUT are we experiencing it?! The kind of peace that surpasses human understanding? Is it attainable or just something we long for but never find?

Beth Moore said something that was the key for me this week. Summarizing what she said is this: When we need to experience the peace of God, we are to assume a posture of peace. We looked at the passage of scripture where Jesus fed the 5,000. He told everyone to sit down. Once everyone was sitting down, He provided them everything they needed. I love that! It also reminded me of  another time when Jesus was with Mary and Martha. Remember the story …Where was Mary when Jesus said that she had chosen what was better? She was sitting at the feet of Jesus.
What’s our typical posture of rest when we need a break? Usually it’s sitting or lying down. So what is the posture I’m to assume when I’m attempting to rest in Jesus and find the peace I need? Sitting …. expecting …. waiting peacefully and patiently for my sweet Jesus to feed me and take care of me at just the right time in order that God gets all the glory He deserves!! I am not saying that we don’t have a responsibility sometimes in what God is working out in our lives. But often we fret and stress, when we should be at rest. After all, He really is working all things for our good!

          Jesus, I am resting, resting ….