Cushion of the Soul

"And the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Philipians 4:7

 

These are hard days for everyone. Our country is in turmoil and it's difficult to watch the destruction being done to our way of life and freedom. Keeping our mind in peace, and not worry or be depressed, is a hard thing. But those of us who have faith in Jesus and know the God of all creation have an extra advantage over those who do not believe.

It's our "cushion of the soul." I like these words written by Dr. A. T. Pierson, 1837-1911. He was an American pastor, Bible expositor and editor of The Missionary Review of the World. Here is what he said:

 

"There is what is called the 'cushion of the sea.' Down beneath the surface that is agitated by storms, and driven about with winds, there is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When we dredge the bottom and bring up the remains of animal and vegetable life we find that they give evidence of not having been disturbed in the least, for hundreds and thousands of years. The peace of God is that eternal calm which, like the cushion of the sea, lies far too deep down to be reached by any external trouble and disturbance; and he who enters into the presence of God, becomes partake of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.                                                                              Streams in the Desert, October 20 

I wonder who uses these steps!

All of us who have been Christians for any length of time and lived through difficult circumstances is aware of this "cushion of the soul." It is real. You know it as soon as you reach it. The mysterious method God has of quieting our soul and calming our spirit. The peace of God. A true blessing in the believer's life.

 

"Ofttimes the test of courage is to live rather than to die."
Conte Vittorio Alfieri, 1749-1803

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote these words describing this peace:

"When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean,

And billows wild content with angry roar,

'Tis said, far down beneath the wild commotion,

That peaceful stillness reigneth evermore . . .

"So to the heart that knows Thy love, O Purest,

There is a temple sacred evermore,

And all the babble of life's angry voices

Dies in hushed silence at its peaceful door.""

Harriet Beecher Stowe

As we are bombarded with disturbing headlines and sickening and hateful matters let's keep our mind focused on the One who is in control. We may not like what is happening, but we have the assurance God knows what is happening and is able to keep us safe until Jesus comes again.

"True peace is found by man in the depths of his own heart, the dwelling place of God."

Johann Tauler, c. 1300-1361

A nice mixture of color!