You Will Get Wet On This Ride

You Will Get Wet on This Ride

Bible Blast: Read Isaiah 48:16-18

Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. Isaiah 48:18

The Nile River in Africa is said to be the longest river in the world. It’s over 4,100 miles long. To give you an idea of how long that is, it’s 2,848 miles from Albany, New York, to Sacramento, California.

Everything the Bible says means something, so when God says, “peace flowing like a river,” he isn’t saying it just because rivers are pretty. There’s more to it. Let’s figure it out. What do you think about when you think of a river? Take a moment to reflect.

Okay, here’s my list and what it teaches me about peace:

1) River water is always moving. Peace is active and moving in our lives.

2) River water is powerful. Peace is strong and powerful, not a weak way of living.

3) River water makes a cool sound. Just because someone’s quiet, it doesn’t necessarily mean she has peace.

4) Animals live in rivers. Peace gives life to others. It doesn’t take life and energy away.

5) I can float on river water. Peace helps people get from one place to another by letting them know God is in control.

I’ve always thought of peace as being “still, quiet, calm,” but that’s the opposite of a river, isn’t it? God’s peace doesn’t have anything to do with circumstances. It’s an inner confidence and assurance that God is perfect in love and that we will spend eternity in heaven with him. When peace flows in my life, sometimes it comes out as quiet hours spent with Jesus, and other times it shows up as loudly praising him with my whole heart. I can be in the middle of the noisiest place in the world and still have peace like a river flowing in my heart.

Girl Gab: Mom, lead your daughter through the second part of today’s focus verse. Together make a list of five things that describe the sea and talk about how righteousness (living according to what God says is right) is like the sea. Commit your heart to obeying God’s commands.