Like a River Glorious

Message in a Sundial

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You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV

“Every joy or trial, falleth from above: Traced upon our dial, by the sun of love.” When I sing those lines from, Like a River Glorious, I often picture the old sundial that sat at the end of my Great-grandmother’s garden. I remember that garden distinctly because I spent so many hours weeding it! My great-grandmother is now no longer here to see her garden, but the lessons about how the sundial tells time remind me of this hymn. The shadows of the trials as well as the joys that ebb and flow each day, tell the story of the time we are at in our lives. As believers in our Lord Jesus, we know that we belong to Him, we are bought with a price, and nothing touches our lives that He has not allowed. Though some days are bitter, and filled with trials, Jesus leads us through and the shadow that they cast on our hearts, tell us also that the sun of His love is shining. He is still in control, no matter what is happening. He knows the depth of our difficulties as well as the height of our joys. Do not despair, because at the end of the day, we can find as He promised, His perfect peace and rest!

A River Glorious

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You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

“Like a river glorious, flows God’s perfect peace.” This opening line of Frances Havergal’s hymn was written as she lay in her sickbed, while doctors suggested to her that she might not survive. Instead of allowing depression or panic to set in, Francis is famously quoted as saying, “If I am really going, it is too good to be true!” I wish I always had that kind of experience with God’s peace, when I am suffering. I am learning that the key to peace that flows like a glorious river, is that it has its source in God. As today’s verse says, we can have that peace when our mind is “stayed on” God. Instead of frittering away our time with useless activities, God invites us to come to His river, whose flow cannot be interrupted by circumstances, situations, or disasters. It is a stream of eternal hope. It is a peace that leads calmly on, when floods of sorrow are overwhelming, just as the Red Sea was held back as the children of Israel crossed. It is a peace that cools the flames of anger and persecution, just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came safely out of the fiery furnace, with only their bonds burned away. What a great hope we have, and what strength flows from God’s river which flows freely, without fail from the foot of the cross, where our Lord Jesus poured out His blood for us. Will you look to Him and trust Him today? Will you fix your eyes on the beautiful face of Jesus, who offers us His perfect peace, if we will only trust in Him?

Like a River Glorious

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Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 KJV

When Francis Havergal wrote these lines, they were not a hymn, but a poem, which she composed most likely during her time of severe illness. The melody we sing was composed two years later by James Mountain. Her lines, “Every joy or trial, falleth from above.” were an expression of her entire confidence, that whatever the outcome of her illness would be, that her life was fully in the hands of God. God Himself, is that merchant in today’s verse. He searched for and found us, then He went and sold all that he had to purchase us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Now, Jesus gives this peace with God as the Pearl of Great Price to “Those who trust Him wholly and find Him wholly true.” I pray that you will be blessed as you consider the words, no matter your circumstances. May you each have a blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow and rest in God’s peace that was purchased for us with such a great price.



Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace
Over all victorious in its bright increase
Perfect yet it floweth fuller every day
Perfect yet it growth deeper all the way

Stayed upon Jehovah
Hearts are fully blest
Finding as He promised
Perfect peace and rest

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand
Never foe can follow - Never traitor stand
Not a surge of worry - Not a shade of care
Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there

Every joy or trial falleth from above
Traced upon our dial by the sun of love
We who trust Him fully all for us to do
They who trust Him fully find Him fully true

Francis Havergal lyrics - 1874
 - James Mountain music