HE IS OUR PEACE – 

After the inspiring story of the young pilgrim in the previous Psalm, the compilers of the Psalter put together a series of psalms to be used during pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the many feast and festivals held there each year, especially Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles. They became known as the “Songs of Ascent.” The first one they selected told the story of a pilgrim who tells how he tried to cope while living in a world of unbelievers; how he had to battle against their attempts to dissuade him with untruths and made-up tales about meaningless faith. But all he wanted was to have the peace of God in his heart to sustain him on his journey.

“When I encountered difficulties, I called out to the LORD Eternal and He heard my prayer. I said, ‘O LORD Eternal, don’t let me become a victim of lying lips and deceitful tongues.’ So to all my opponents I say, ‘What else should I ask Him to do to you; what more should be done with you, you bunch of liars? You are all like madmen armed with piercing arrows tipped with burning coals.’ I realize now I stayed too long in the company of worldly people. Yes, I lived too long with people who hated any idea of living in peace. I’ve always been for peace, but every time I tried to bring it up they silenced me, all they want to do is fight.” Psalm 120:1-7

Reflection: During evening devotions held in the tabernacle at a campground near West Bend, Wisconsin in August 1899, evangelist Warren Cornell started jotting down the thoughts that ran through his mind while meditating. When the service was over, he got up to go out and unwittingly dropped the notes on the ground. An hour later musician W. G. Cooper came into the tent and spotted the scrap of paper on the ground. After reading the note he immediately sat down at the organ and composed a melody to go with the words. Thus was born this hymn that became a favorite in many churches: “Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight, rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; in celestial like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm. “Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above; sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.” Many pilgrims sought the same kind of experience as they walked toward the Holy City in search of God’s peace and calming touch. In the midst of a slanderous world among people who live out their lives believing lies as though they were truth, it is a wonderful way to remain steady and serene in God’s presence. What we learn from the words of the Psalmist, and those of Evangelist Cornell, is that peace comes only to those who desire it. The miracle of peace comes from the fact that one’s love for God feels secure in His promise never to leave us or forsake us.