My Peace I Give unto You by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1916

“My Peace I Give unto You”

By F. M. W.

It is possible in this world of unrest for the children of God to possess the spirit of peace. The promise is, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isa. 26: 3, 4.

This experience will be made possible in the lives of those only who fully commit their ways unto God, and who confidently believe that his overruling providence will shape every feature of their experience for their eternal good. And this the Lord has promised to do for his children. The apostle Paul declares: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Rom. 8: 28. Paul’s knowledge of this great truth was not a knowledge of experience, but a knowledge of faith. He was unable to reason out how some of the great trials which came into his life were for his benefit. He could not understand why his bodily affliction should be suffered to continue, and he sought the Lord earnestly three times that this might be removed. God did not give him that for which he prayed, but he did comfort him with the assurance that heavenly grace would be provided according to his need. Read the apostle’s experience in the eleventh and twelfth chapters of Second Corinthians.

But while undergoing all these trials and afflictions, the apostle could confidently write to the Philippian believers, “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” We shall need in the days before us the keeping power of this same peace. We shall need it as we are surrounded by the world’s spirit of unrest. On every side is disquietude; men’s hearts are failing them for fear; the nations of earth are in perplexity. They know not what a day will bring forth; they know not whither the rapidly passing events in the world’s history are tending. But we who have the light of prophecy may know. We of course cannot tell in detail how events will shape. We cannot tell what will be our own personal experience. But we may know that above the confusion and the strife and the commotion stands the Creator of the universe. He is keeping account with the nations. He is watching over his own. He cannot err; he has never made a mistake. He has his eye on the furnace, and if we will but commit the keeping of our souls unto him, he will permit no experience to befall us but that will work our eternal good and his eternal glory. “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.

We need this keeping power of peace in the relationship we sustain to our neighbors. We may be associated with those who naturally annoy and distract, who are anything but congenial. We may be associated in business relations with those whose ways are naturally distasteful. By God’s grace, however, we may prove greater than our environment. Like Lot in ancient Sodom, like Elijah in the days of general apostasy, we may stand for God and for his truth, even though we stand alone.

We need the keeping power of peace in our church relationship. Many times we shall see in the church things that are wrong. Just as long as poor human nature is associated with the work of God, mistakes will be made. In ancient Israel, when God by the visible manifestation of his glory was leading his people, there were those who raised the standard of revolt. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with the two hundred and fifty princes, turned their backs upon God. Aaron, the high priest, and Miriam, the prophetess of the Lord, committed grievous mistakes; and even Moses, the man who talked with God face to face as a man talketh with his friend, failed in the supreme test to give God the glory. We may see in the world great evils. We may see even in the church those who do not meet our ideals; men who appear to be self-opinionated, egotistical, and vainglorious; men who seem determined to have their own way; men who love power and recognition; policy men; schemers. Such men have always been found in the church, and they will continue there till the fires of persecution burn out the chaff and the dross; but the promise is, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”

We may have that living connection with God that will enable us to possess our souls in patience and in peace, even though we may differ from those with whom we are associated. We believe that in this is seen the greatest triumph of divine grace. To be able to differ from our brethren in plan and policy, and yet love them and feel kindly in

our hearts toward them, and be at peace with them and with God,—this surely is one test of Christianity. It is only the possession of the Spirit of God that will enable us to do this. This was the spirit exercised by the Master. He made no difference between Judas and John, or Peter and James, and yet one he was compelled to rebuke for his impulsive egotism, and another he knew was plotting his betrayal. It is a great thing to be able to maintain in our hearts the spirit of peace toward our fellows.

We need the keeping power of peace in our own homes, in our relationship to our parents, to our companions, to our children. It is here, in the wear and grind and perplexity of daily life, that we stand in the greatest danger. With peace in his own soul and peace in his own home, a man can go forth to meet the coldness of the world and the rebuffs of life with a brave, strong heart. But how many men and women and children are constantly unnerved and unfitted for life’s responsibilities by the unrest and the turmoil which exist in their home lives!

Some who read these words live in divided homes. Oh, how greatly these need to have the keeping power of the peace of God in their lives,—that power which will lead them to suppress the fretful word, the impatient gesture; which will lead them to overlook the failings and faults of those with whom they are associated!

After all, the real victory of Christian experience must be gained in one’s own life. The Christian has foes, without, many and fierce, but it is the conflict with the foes within that really determines the issues of the conflict. The peace of God finds its counterfeit in self-satisfaction. That man who poses outwardly as a follower of Christ while at heart he is a hypocrite, who professes that which he does not possess, is living under a terrible delusion. And yet we must recognize that there are many such professed Christians in the world today. There may be some in the Seventh-day Adventist Church,—men who talk charity while their hearts are filled with criticism; men who talk purity while their own hearts are filled with iniquity; men who profess to be zealous for the truth while they themselves are only timeservers, seekers for the loaves and fishes, worldly policy men.

It is most important in these days in which we are living that we should know where we as individuals stand. We cannot rest our experience upon that of our fellows, upon the position which we hold, upon the estimate of our friends. In the judgment, every soul must stand naked and alone before God. Oh, let us view our experience today as we shall see it in that solemn hour! Let us recognize our condition as it will stand revealed by the records of God. There is nothing so terrible in all the world as self-deception, as for one to believe he is right when he is altogether wrong, as for one to count himself accepted of heaven when God looks upon his course with disapproval. Let us pray in the words of the psalmist: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139: 23, 24.

F. M. W.