Back in August of 1875, Edward Bickersteth heard a sermon about peace. Later that Sunday afternoon he visited a terminally ill friend and the friend asked about the sermon, since he hadn’t been able to be there. Bickersteth told him about the preacher talking about an inner peace that is divorced from circumstances and simply comes from the presence of God in one’s life.

As Bickersteth talked, his friend drifted off to sleep. Bickersteth, however, felt the urge to jot down some of his thoughts after ruminating on that sermon. This is what he wrote: Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom nought but calm is found. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? In Jesus’ keeping we are safe and they. Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and he is on the throne. Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours? Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers. It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease, and Jesus call to heaven’s perfect peace.” After the friend woke from his nap, Bickersteth shared his new poem, and the dying friend found great comfort in those words. George Caldbeck later set the words to music and the hymn Peace, Perfect Peace has been a staple in hymnals ever since.

Twenty years after writing those words, Edward Bickersteth experienced a parent’s worst nightmare, the death of his son. The minister who officiated at the funeral quoted those song lyrics, and Bickersteth was once again reminded of the peace that can only come from the Prince of Peace.

Darlene Deibler Rose experienced that same peace. She was working as a missionary in the jungles of New Guinea when she was captured by the Japanese during WWII. Rose endured 4 years of torture and confinement in a Japanese prison camp, suffering through beatings, illness, solitary confinement, and the death of her husband. Somehow, she still maintained an inner peace through her relationship with Christ.

But one day, it felt like God had abandoned her. Rose panicked, wondering why she no longer felt God’s calming presence. She knew she certainly needed Jesus’ help in that terrible prison camp. Rose searched her heart and life for sin, wondering if God was punishing her for a disobedience. She prayed, but it felt like her prayers stopped at the ceiling. Rose longed for God’s presence, but it seemed like God didn’t want to be found.

Thinking further, Darlene Deibler Rose finally recognized that God’s presence didn’t depend on her feelings, but on His promise. Jesus said, “I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus didn’t promise that hurting people would always feel His presence, but He promised to be there. After thinking that through, Rose prayed, “Lord, I believe all that the Bible says. I do walk by faith and not by sight. I do not need to FEEL You near, because your Word says You will never leave me nor forsake me. Lord, I confirm my faith; I believe.” After her prayer, her sense of God’s presence and comfort slowly returned. Rose later wrote: “In a measure I felt that I understood what Job meant when he declared, ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

In Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV), the Apostle Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Peace doesn’t mean we will always feel God’s presence or see Him at work. Peace comes from the quiet knowledge that Jesus is nearby because He promised to be! We may feel alone, abandoned, neglected or ignored, but those feelings are merely Satan’s lies, his attempt to plant doubt and discouragement in our minds. The truth is expressed in Jesus’ promise, “I will be with you always.” Depend on Him; there’s a great deal of peace in that! No matter what storms rage outside, you will have peace when you remember that Jesus is inside.