05- The God of PEACE

The God of PEACE

Jehovah is the great author and giver of peace; the plan was drawn in his eternal mind, and was filled up by the Lord Jesus Christ. He made peace, by removing sin - the great cause of contention and disagreement, "Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree." He publishes peace in the everlasting gospel - and imparts it to the soul by the power and operations of the Eternal Spirit. He is emphatically, "the God of peace." The penitent sinner has nothing to fear in approaching him; he is arrayed in every inviting attribute, and employs a variety of figures to prove to the mind that he is willing to pardon. Man is enmity against God - but "God is love" to every returning prodigal. Man is a traitor to God - but God is "the God of peace" to every one who, laying down the weapons of rebellion, seeks the tokens of his love and grace.

Poor trembling sinner, why do you fear to draw near to God - why are you so cast down? Hear! He speaks to you, and says, "so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.... Fury is not in me!" He will "receive us graciously." He notices the agitation of your spirit, and the anxiety of your mind; there is nothing against you in his heart. Do you object, "My sins are so many, and my iniquities are grown up to Heaven?" He says, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins!" You have his faithful word, his inviolable oath, and the gift of his dear Son - to assure you that he is "the God of peace;" and to invite, allure, and encourage you to approach him with confidence and hope.

He has no pleasure in the death of a sinner - but he delights in mercy. There is nothing in the groans of the lost to charm him - but he is pleased with the penitent’s prayer. He alone pardons iniquity, transgression, and sin. You do him wrong - when you think harshly of him; you grieve his Spirit - when you doubt and fear before him.

Poor tempted doubting Christian, your God is "the God of peace!" He . . . bids you to approach him, exhorts you to trust in him, and invites you to cast all your cares upon him. Your temptations make no change in his mind, nor can they affect the reconciliation made by Jesus. You were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. Jesus for you, "Made peace through the blood of his cross." Jesus is your peace. As such, he appears before the Father for you, and ever pleads your cause. He is your peacemaking Brother, Savior, and Friend! The peace made by his blood-shedding and death, is permanent; and he is your living, loving, acting Advocate at the bar of justice! He says, as tempted and tried as you are, "Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

If we did but heartily believe, that God is "the God of peace," we must . . . enjoy more comfort, exercise more confidence, and walk with God humbly and gratefully. A lack of faith on this important point, is at the root of our fear, distrust, and soul distress. And yet this fact is . . . revealed in the plainest words, confirmed by the most solemn acts, and rests upon the most indisputable basis. The deity of Christ, his gracious works, his merciful words, his kind promises, his meritorious blood, his victorious resurrection, his triumphant ascension, and his tender sympathies - all proclaim our God to be, "The God of Peace." Thus view him, when you approach him - and you will draw near in full assurance of faith.

Children of God redeemed by blood, Raise your songs to Zion’s God;

Made from condemnation free, Grace triumphant sing with me!

Calvary’s summit let us trace, View the heights and depths of grace.

Count the purple drops and say, Thus my sins were washed away!

Now no more his wrath we dread, He has thus to Zion said, "Since your Surety paid your score, I behold your sins no more!"