This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.” -Isaiah 48:17-18

A river is a constant flow, full of living things that feeds into a larger body of water. This flowing water does not remain stagnant or get stuck in one place, but is always flowing. Just as a river is always flowing and following the pull of the current, we too need to fix our minds, our hearts, and our souls to the Lord and allow Him to direct our paths. 

God wants what is best for us, not what we think is best for us. He loves us enough to know what we need, rather than always giving us what we want. As we continue to read the Word of God and apply it to our lives, following God’s commands and direction, we will live in peace. Not the peace of the world but the peace that the Bible says “surpasses all understanding” that will “guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

So how do we know where the Lord is leading us? By spending time with Him, whether it be worship through music, reading His Word, or having a conversation with Him. He desires to teach us more than we could ever imagine, but the only way He can do that is if we do not get stuck in our own understanding, our own ways of doing things, and not growing in our relationship with Him. 

When we feel stuck, we look to the Word and to the remembrance of all that he has done in the past. Our past may be full of discouraging experiences or hardships, but as we look at the blessings and the faithfulness that he has shown to us during these times, it will help us move forward. We can flow forward in faith that he is moving in our present and future in extraordinary ways. 

Then we can truly become a constant flowing river and have the peace that surpasses all understanding.