Peace Comes from the Prince

This morning, I feel the Lord speaking to my heart about some beautiful things: hope, new life, AND restoration.

Yesterday, in my city, while I was laying down for my Sunday afternoon nap between church services, a shooter went into a public place in our downtown area, and took the lives of three people.  He also wounded approximately nine others, and then took his own life.  It’s all so new, I don’t think there’s any insight as to the why.  But I can tell you why, without even knowing the story.

You don’t do something like that unless you have reached a state of hopelessness.  We do know that he was eliminated from a Madden video game tournament—but how do you go from playing a video game about football, to shooting your fellow contestants and then killing yourself?

All your hopes were pinned on something temporary, something that wasn’t sure. 

Friday night in our town, there was another shooting, following a high school football game.  In our grieving at what is happening in our city, a friend suggested that we need to promote the idea of peace, wherever we can.

There is nothing wrong with this, of course.  The problem lies in the fact that while our society sees the NEED for peace, every time something like this happens—they’ve also escorted the Prince of Peace out the door.

Does anyone else see the irony?  We’ve made it not just a suggestion that we not speak of Jesus in our places of business or education, but it’s absolutely frowned upon, if not PUNISHED if you do.  And yet, the Prince of Peace is a gentleman, and He will not stay where He is not wanted.

So is it any wonder that our nation is in turmoil?

But folks, whether you like it or not—HE IS THE ANSWER. 

He is the Peace, He is the Hope, He is the source of NEW LIFE, and RESTORATION. And while our cities, our state, and factions in our nation may be working diligently to outlaw Him—NO ONE CAN STOP YOU FROM WELCOMING HIM INTO YOUR OWN LIFE.  NO ONE.

It doesn’t matter who you are.  It doesn’t matter what you’ve done.  It doesn’t matter where you are.  He is ABLE and WILLING to save you, to deliver you from whatever has you bound.  He takes you where you are—but He won’t leave you where you are.

His mercy is an ocean, seemingly limitless in its ability to wash us.  There is NOTHING my God cannot do!  Last night, I watched two people weep under the power of God, and I watched them give themselves over to His power.  I saw the transformation on their faces, the real peace, the real joy that comes from the true Spirit of God, which is able to save our souls.  I saw them reaching for the Prince of Peace—and no one, no THING, will be able to take that away from them.

There is a song that has ministered to me profoundly over the last month or more.  It’s by a singer/songwriter named Charity Gayle.  The best way I can describe her is as a modern psalmist.  Her songs are much like what we find in Psalms—a heart’s cry, an offering of pure worship, transparent and beautiful, and full of the Spirit.  Waterfall has especially given me peace.  Here are the lyrics, and a link to the video.  I pray that it ministers to you!  Play it on repeat, and allow the Spirit of God, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father to move all around you, and in you, and in your situation.  Invite Him in.  HE WILL COME.

Waterfall (click title for link to video)

Words & Music by Charity Gayle, Shane Bernard, and Shane Everett

Verse 1:

I heard of a river flowing from heaven

And all who are thirsty would thirst no more

I wonder if I can drink of this fountain

The least of ten thousand I come

Here at the waterfall I stand in awe

Under the Rock, under the Rock where mercy rains

Here at the waterfall beneath the Cross

Under the Rock, under the Rock where mercy rains

I heard of a river out of the mountain

Where healing and pardon are pouring out

I’m over my head in a sea of forgiveness

Hidden in Jesus, I am found

Here at the waterfall I stand in awe

Under the Rock, under the Rock where mercy rains

Here at the waterfall beneath the Cross

Under the Rock, under the Rock where mercy rains

Everything lives where the river runs

Everything lives where the river runs

Everything lives where the river runs

I come alive, I come alive

Everything lives where the river runs

I come alive,________________

Here at the waterfall I stand in awe

Under the Rock, under the Rock where mercy rains

Here at the waterfall beneath the Cross

Under the Rock, under the Rock where mercy rains

Everything lives where the river runs

I come alive, I come alive

Everything lives where the river runs

I come alive,________________