0854. The Peace of God

The Peace of God

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts" (Col_3:15).

Peace is an attribute of God. Peace is as much a part of the nature of God as is love or holiness.

One cannot conceive of God's being flurried or hurried or filled with anxieties. Weigh well the words, "the peace of God."

Even in His judgments, God moves with unhurried and stately steppings. The dignity and poise of Jesus Christ as He drove out the money changers, was as great as when He sat on the mount and taught His disciples. Christ was just as quiet and restful as He faced the angry waves of Galilee, as were the waves after He commanded them "peace, be still" and there was a great calm. Christ was kept in that same perfect peace during the whole of His arrest, trial and crucifixion as He was in peace when He sat on the well curb, in Sychar.

How precious then are the words of our Lord, "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." Ours is not an effort to imitate God's peace, ours is to possess God's peace.

A few passages which will give light on how the peace of God may be obtained will be helpful.

1. Gal_5:22 : "The fruit of the Spirit is * * peace." The branch does not try to bear grapes. The branch must abide in the vine. When we walk in the Spirit, we will have peace.

2. Psa_119:165 : "Great peace have they which love Thy Law." The Word of God gives peace. During hours of great trial and suffering what peace fills the soul as the messages from God flood the mind and heart! Many a martyr has been held up by a blessed "Thus saith the Lord" as they died at the stake.

3. Jam_3:17 : "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable."

When we lack wisdom and in faith we ask of God, He will give it unto us. The wisdom from beneath is neither pure nor peaceable. Man's wisdom is clouded by man's environment; it is a restless wisdom, because it lacks in certainty. The wisdom from above partakes of the holiness of God, and it is sure because it comes from Him with Whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.

4. Isa_26:3 : "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee."

The Prophets of old knew something of this peace. They suffered much, but when they looked away to Him they found peace. David set the Lord continually before his face. Moses endured as seeing Him Who was invisible. Daniel said: "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Paul said "There stood by me this night, the angel of God, Whose I am, and Whom I serve * * wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer."

If we want peace we must run the race looking unto Jesus.

5. Job_22:21 : "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace." Job had a hard time. Satan was against him; his three friends were against him; his wife was, in part, against him. For a while Job lost his peace although he never lost his faith. Eliphaz said some harsh things, but one thing he said was most true. "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace." When Job, as described in this chapter, did get acquainted with God, then his captivity was turned and his blessings were unbounding.

We need to know God face to face and then we will have peace.

6. Rom_8:6 : "To be spiritually minded is life and peace." The carnal Christian can have no peace. He cannot enjoy God for he has broken his fellowship with God and is under chastisement. He cannot enjoy the world because he is miserable in his soul, having once known the peace of God. His only way of peace is "back to Bethel." He must walk in the Spirit, and be spiritually minded.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR