Chapter Thirteen: Peace

It may be noted as one of the paradoxes of the New Testament that it represents the co-existence in the same persons of war and peace. These are terms which in secular things are incongruous and mutually exclusive. If the state described by the one is present, that which is signified by the other is necessarily absent. But in the kingdom of Christ it is not so. Its subjects are at the same time and always engaged in vigorous warfare, and yet living in profound peace. Nor are these terms used in any accommodated or unusual sense. Ware means real war; peace is true peace. And however incompatible they may seem to be in their prima facie or surface presentation, we know that deep down in Christian experience these two states, if they do not merge into one, become really harmonious. We have all been conscious, even when most ardently and resolutely fighting the good fight of faith, that God was keeping us in perfect peace, because our minds were stayed on him.

I have had occasion frequently to allude to the Christian warfare, a subject which occupies much space in the apostolic Scriptures. They lead us constantly to think of the enemies without and within—the world, the flesh and the devil—and of the strife which must be continually maintained if we would at last overcome them. This we may look upon as one side of our life—the side upon which insidious foes approach us and formidable adversaries assail us. Now with wily cunning, and anon with marshaled force and dreadful daring they attack the very citadel of our faith, which with taunt and derision they say, “Where is thy God?” And how often, alas! have they made breaches in our strongholds, or deluded us into opening our gates, and ourselves bringing in, with made exultation, their Trojan horse, filled with deadly enemies! What with pride and vanity and sloth, and with worldly-mindedness and carnal security raising up within, and with the hosts of sin and Satan pressing upon us from without, we might well be appalled. If left to ourselves the conflict could result only in disaster and defeat.

But we are not thus left. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). And it is this God side of us, if I may so express it; this assured conviction that God is, and that he is ever present with his help, and unfailing in his support, that gives us peace of mind and composure of soul even in the thickets of the fight. “Though an host would encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise up against me, in this will I be confident” (Psalms 27:3). By the words “in this” reference is doubtless made to the first verse of the psalm: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” If we can exercise such faith as thing; if we are able to look away from the perils that environ us, to the Almighty Arm that defends us, and to feel sure that whatever help we may need in the evil day will come to us in good time and abundant measure, we can sign the song of trust with the spirit and the understanding and rest in peace.

Thought troubles assail and danger affright, Though friends should all fail and foes all unite, Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, The Scripture assures us, the Lord will provide.

It is not only, however, in the extraordinary trials and fiercer conflicts of life that this grace is to be sought and prized; we need it as a guard and resource in the daily round of common experience. There is no hour so free from care, or so exempt from temptations and ills, that it will not be brightened and sweetened if we direct our thought and our faith to God, looking through what may seem to be a “frowning providence,” to the “smiling face” behind. The true conception of scriptural peace is that of an every-abiding serenity of soul, retained and cherished alike in sunshine and in storm, in sorrow and in joy, through good report and ill, amid all the vicissitudes and changes of this earthly existence, and eve, if need be,

Amidst the war of elements, The wreck of matter the crush of worlds.

The esteem in which the Lord would have us hold this grace is repeatedly shown; and a few of his declarations respecting it may help us to a higher appreciation of its worth. “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a rive, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18). Peace as a river — that is, abundant, full, living, and never failing. And we notice that it was this blessing of peace above all others, and which indeed includes all others, that the very heart of God had been yearning to bestow upon the beloved “house of Jacob.” In like manner the Saviour of men, when he was about to return to his Father, and to leave his chosen apostles to struggle on in an unfriendly world — as in truth we all must do — a world which promised them only tribulations, persecutions and afflictions: a world whose sweetest smiles would be delusive, whose friendships would bring danger, and whose highest good was fraught with evil; looking down this gloomy vista, and selecting from his boundless resources that which alone could prepare them for their trying future, and bear them safely through it, he imparted it to them, and left it with them. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). And now, if it must be so, “let the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing”; nay, let the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; and let the waters thereof roar and be troubled, and the mountains shake with the swelling thereof; the rage of the nations is impotent, and the roaring of the seas gives not alarm. For deep down in the soul, far beyond any disturbance from earthly enmity or ill, there flows and eternal and gladdening river of peace.

With such knowledge of its origin, and with daily experience of its comfort, it is no wonder that the apostles speak of it in terms of highest appreciation. It is “from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7); it is a “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22); “the kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). To the Colossians the injunction is given: “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15); while to the Philippians is given that infallible and all-comprehensive prescription for happiness: “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus” (Php 4:6-7). It is indeed incomprehensible even to him who experiences it. Like the gracious Spirit by whom it is imparted, its coming is attended by no convulsive shock nor startling sound. We may not observe its quiet approach, but as we rise from the fervent “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,” we find that somehow a divine calmness of soul, a sweet rest as from heaven, is present with us; and this is God’s peace.

The attentive reader has doubtless noticed—and I trust without surprise — that in seeking in my humble way to aid him to attainment of this grace, I have simply sought to lead him to its Source. It might be helpful to timid Christians for me to add that, inexpressibly precious as this peace is, its acquisition is not difficult. True, it is wholly supernatural in its origin; it is a gift; we cannot create it, nor work ourselves into it. But what blessing have we ever enjoyed that has not come down to us from the Father of lights? And he is waiting to bestow this one upon every child of his who will open the door of his heart to receive it. All of us, therefore, even the poorest and humblest, and however unworthy we may feel ourselves to be, live every day within reach, to say the least, of this heavenly boon. And we have but to stretch forth the hand of faith and of earnest prayer, for it to be ours. But let us remember that it lies not at the end of labor and toil and struggle. We do not come to it by that road. Nor is it to be gained by exciting and agitating ourselves with reference to it—not even by exciting and agitating prayer, as if Heaven must be stormed and God aroused in order to procure it; but by “praying in the Holy Spirit” — the calm, trustful, reposeful prayer, that believes in God’s love, and that lays the soul down upon his bosom that in him it may find rest.