The word "peace" is used constantly in our conversations, invoking the need or desire for the end of a war, or political harmony, or the end of emotional distress, and many more. We will comment about someone's recent death, "May he rest in peace" signaling the end of the struggles of life. There is only one place where we can find true peace, however, and that is in the Prince of Peace, Christ our Savior (see Isaiah 9:6). It was confirmation of this peace that a dying relative of Dr. Edward H. Bickersteth sought when Bickersteth visited him. When given an opportunity to put pen to paper, Bickersteth used the events of the day, and an urging to write, to create Peace Perfect Peace. How much do we need the Prince of Peace in our lives today? There is so much emptiness, meaninglessness, and turmoil in individuals' lives and the need for peace in the midst of chaos is great. Jesus told his disciples in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." The storm around us may not always be calmed but followers of Jesus can have the calm that the Prince of Peace gives.

Article taken from Living Stories of Famous Hymns by Ernest K. Emurian. Copyright © 1955 by Baker Book House Company. Used by permission of Baker Book House Company.