When your heart needs Peace....

 



The kids and I were driving home from Athens yesterday afternoon, and suddenly the sky fell. Rain so heavy that I could barely see an inch in front of me. Although, what I could see was a HUGE semi truck behind me so close he could have kissed my bumper.

My hands gripped the wheel. I started praying.

The car was quiet, and suddenly I remembered that my nephew who was with us is terrified of storms. I looked back and I could see the panic on his face.

My daughter saw it too. She suddenly said, "Mom, we need to pray Psalm 23. Right now."

Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

We had memorized this Psalm earlier this year, so it was still fresh on our hearts.

Presley led the prayer, and we all said it with her.

Peace and calm filled the car. I glanced back at my nephew and his face was much more relaxed and at peace.

I have shared with my children the story of Todd Beamer from Flight 93 on September 11th, 2001. As the terrorists were taking over the plane, he made a phone call from the plane to the emergency operator. He and the operator recited the Lord's Prayer together and Psalm 23.

What an amazing testimony of his faith. He knew what would bring him peace. Todd Beamer, eventually went down with that plane. He was credited for being a hero. Todd Beamer knew where his strength and peace came from. In Christ alone.

One of my favorite parts Psalm 23 is this line:

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul"

He doesn't just ask us to lie down, He makes us lie down.

He doesn't just tell us where the quiet waters are, He leads us.

He doesn't tell us that He may restore our soul, He will restore our soul.

I do not know one person on Earth who doesn't need a soul restoration.

No matter what you are facing today, you need this Peace. You need this Assurance.

He is with you.

I challenge you to memorize this scripture this week. Put it as a screen saver on your phone. Tape it to your coffee maker.

Before a job interview, recite this prayer.
Before a doctor's appointment, recite this prayer.
Before a heavy conversation, recite this prayer.
Before a major decision, recite this prayer.
Before you walk out the door today, recite this prayer.

We must get in the habit of calling on God's promises if we are to live lives of Peace. Peace can only come from the Prince of Peace Himself. [Isaiah 9:6]

As I was reading in Matthew yesterday, I came across this verse and it gripped my heart.

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matthew 4:4

Did you hear that? We should live by every word from the mouth of God.

We must know His Word in order to live by them though.

Little by little, day by day. Seek Him in His Word.

Don't let it overwhelm you. Start small. Actually, there is no small in God's Word. It is all important. Every last letter in the Word of God is important!

Make it a priority this Summer. First thing in the morning, or sometime during your day. Go away with Him to a quiet place. Let Him lead you beside the still waters so that He can restore your soul.

Try this for a week, and see how it goes.

You will be amazed, my friend.


being led to quiet waters,


jill