Like A River Glorious

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 groweth 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 may trust Him fully all for us to do
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true

Frances R Havergal
James Mountain

A Peace that Passes Understanding

In this beautiful hymn, Frances Havergal compares God’s perfect peace to a glorious river, ever-increasing and deepening. Having experienced the Lord’s peace amidst life’s challenges, including frequent illness and the loss of loved ones, she knew this peace firsthand. Havergal’s lyrics encourage us to find true rest by staying our hearts and minds on Christ.

The first verse describes God’s peace as “over all victorious in its bright increase.” No matter what trials we face, His peace can overcome them all. Havergal reminds us that this perfect peace “floweth fuller every day” and “groweth deeper all the way.” The more we abide in Christ, the more His peace fills and sustains us.

In Him, our hearts are “fully blest, finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.” Havergal knew the importance of anchoring her life on God’s faithfulness. As she memorized Scripture and poured her devotion into hymns, she experienced the rest that comes from trusting His promises.

The second verse beautifully depicts the security we have in Christ. “Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,” no foe can follow and no traitor can stand. Havergal faced her share of spiritual battles, but she understood that in Jesus, we are eternally safe. When we abide in Him, “not a surge of worry, not a shade of care” can touch our spirit there.

Havergal concludes by reminding us that every joy or trial we experience comes from above, “traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love.” As we trust God fully, we find Him “wholly true.” This unwavering trust characterized Havergal’s life and shines through her hymns.

May we, like Frances Havergal, find perfect peace by staying our hearts on Christ, our glorious River of Peace. For in Him, we find true rest.

Call to Worship

Brief but meaningful reflections to help your congregation engage with the story, emotions, and spiritual truths behind beloved hymns before lifting their voices in worship together. Feel free to read as is or put into your own words!

Church, as we come to worship today, let’s center our hearts on the glorious river of God’s perfect peace, so beautifully expressed in this hymn by Frances Havergal. Amidst the struggles and storms of life, Havergal found true rest in Jesus. May her words inspire us to do the same.

As we sing of peace that surpasses understanding, let’s quiet our souls and cast our burdens on the Lord. For His peace is over all victorious, growing deeper and fuller each day as we abide in Him.

Havergal knew the security of being hidden in God’s mighty hand, where no fear or foe could shake her. As we trust in Christ, may we too find unshakable peace, untouched by worry or care.

Remember, every joy and trial we face is traced by the loving hand of God. As we trust Him fully, we’ll find Him wholly true. So let’s stay our hearts on Jesus, our River of Peace, and find perfect rest in Him alone.

Church, will you wholly trust Him as we worship? Let’s sing!