May 29

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1.

Peace with God — what is this peace? It passes all understanding, that is, it is something above human thought, something which even the greatest philosophers of this world cannot attain to, and arrive at, with their mental faculties, something which must be experienced in the heart to know exactly what it is. Peace with God, what a glorious thing! He that has this peace dwelling in his heart is perfectly at rest; nothing can disturb him. He is confident that he is God's dear child, that he has forgiveness of all his sins through his dear Savior Jesus, and that he is the heir of eternal life. The peace with God enables him to say with Paul: "I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

This blessed peace Jesus has wrought for us. He says: "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." He has overcome it for us. God has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have peace with God through Him. He told His disciples: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you." The peace of this world can give nothing save what we need or desire to have, for this life. But in affliction and in the hour of death the peace of this world

cannot help us. When, however, the peace with God is present in the heart, then man is strong, so that adversity cannot crush him and prosperity cannot puff him up. The victory of Christ's death is his through faith; his conscience becomes quiet and is cheered up.

He who is thus consoled and animated by this peace with God can bravely bear and overcome all tribulations, aye, even death itself. Oh, what blessedness to approach death with this peace in the heart!

Prayer.

O Lord Jesus Christ, let the daily remembrance of Thy pains and agony assure us again and again that Thou hast made peace with God for us, and let this prompt us to crucify and mortify in ourselves all carnal desires and evil affections of our corrupt old nature. O Lord, who seest that of ourselves we have no strength, so keep us, both outwardly and inwardly, that we may be defended against all adversities which may happen to the body and against all evil thoughts which may assault and harm the soul. O Lord, let us taste of that glorious and joyful peace which passeth all understanding! Amen.

No more the foe can harm, No more of leaguered camp, And cry of night-alarm, And need of ready lamp. My life in Thee, Thy life in me, Make heaven forever mine.