Peace as a River, and Righteousness as the Waves of the Sea.
The Lord, in most pathetic language, exclaims by his prophet, Isa. xlviii, 18, "O, that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." How beautiful, and how expressive is this language! And great, indeed, is the blessing that falls upon those who hearken to the commandments of God. Hear again the language of Heaven: "O, that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever." Deut. v, 29. Again, "O, that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways." Ps. lxxxi, 13. Such is the tender and pathetic language of the great Creator of Heaven and earth, concerning his people, with reference to his holy law. And here we may discover the jealous regard which God has for his commandments, and the vast importance that he attaches to a strict obedience of the same. But let us notice one item that is named as the result of hearkening to the commandments of God, viz: Peace as a river, and righteousness as the waves of the sea. There is a beauty and significance to this expression, that perhaps is overlooked, or not fully comprehended by the casual reader. Peace, as a river. All understand a river to be a living, or continually flowing stream of water; and may be distinguished from other streams, not only by its greater size, but by its not being so liable to fluctuation, or sudden change, as by drouth or freshet; not to-day a wild torrent, and to-morrow but a rippling streamlet; nor now a sluggish creek, and anon a vast rushing stream, madly sweeping everything in its course. But whether it be wet or dry, drouth or freshet, a river usually maintains the same even course—the same steady, majestic flow; only gently rising or falling as may be necessary to meet the demands made upon it. Such we understand is the nature of that peace that falls to the lot of him who hearkens to the commandments of God. Peace, under all circumstances. Peace not only when the sky is bright, but when the clouds appear. Not peace to-day, and disquietude to-morrow; not now all calmness, tranquility and quietude of mind, and then all aroused, agitated and confused; but peace continually. Peace in times of peril. Peace, even in times of deep sorrow and affliction. O, who would not desire, yea, long for such peace—the peace that knows no abatement. Doubtless the Psalmist spoke from rich experience, when he said, "Great peace have they which love thy law." Ps. cxix, 165. Righteousness as the waves of the sea. Here is another expression that inspiration has not used at random, but is quite as significant as the former. Reader, did you ever stand upon the deck of an ocean steamer, and look out upon the broad sea, and note with care her high swelling waves? Unwearied in their majestic march, how unceasingly they roll. How beautifully and inseparably is each wave blended with its fellow wave. And with what order and precision does wave follow wave—and wave after wave—in their grand march over old ocean's wide domain. You may have witnessed such a scene, with great admiration, and yet never thought to liken thereunto, the righteousness of those who hearken to the law of God. My readers have doubtless already made the comparison. Who among them would not from the depths of his soul desire that his righteousness might be indeed, "as the waves of the sea?" that his right doing, or righteous actions, (for such constitute man's righteousness,)205might even thus be inseparably blended together, and thus follow, one after another, in quick and continual succession all through the rough march of life? The same God that had such tender regard for his people in the days of Moses and Isaiah, still lives, and has the same compassionate regard for his erring children in this evil day. The same commandments that would have brought such rare blessings upon God's Israel anciently, had they hearkened unto them, are still registered in the ark of God's testament in Heaven, and are still the source from whence one may, through obedience to the same, obtain that peace that is as a river, and that righteousness that is as the waves of the sea.
J. M. A.