The Christian’s Promise of Peace by William Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1916

The Christian’s Promise of Peace

By William Covert

WILLIAM COVERT

There is a peace of mind for the child of God so sweet that words cannot express the degree of its sweetness. Money cannot buy it, because no commercial figures can indicate its worth.

Peter, in making a verbal effort to describe this peace, said it is “unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8. Paul, writing of its heart-keeping power through Christ Jesus, declares it passes all understanding. Phil. 4:7. A Hebrew seer, in telling of the divine consolations, said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa. 26:3.

The thoughts of the believer should be so riveted to the eternal promises that there can be no place found for separation. The peace is perfect because the trusting is without a doubt. He that doubts, breaks connection with the promise and so his trusting comes to naught and his peace of mind is gone.

When Christ was giving consolation to his disciples regarding his departure to heaven, and their hearts were troubled because he was going away, he said he would give his peace to them and leave it with them. This wonderful peace has in it the Holy Spirit’s comfort, which contains blessings even greater than Christ’s bodily presence. John 14:27; 16:6, 7.

The promised peace comes into the heart of the believer with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This holy peace takes possession of the human mind when it yields all to God, and this yielding we call conversion. Perhaps the reader remembers the rejoicing which filled his mind when first he gave his whole being into the keeping of the Lord. If so, he can, with Philip Doddridge, say,—

“’Tis done, the great transaction’s done; I am my Lord’s, and he is mine; He drew me, and I followed on, Charmed to confess the voice divine.”

There is a holy confidence which fills the mind with joy and peace by the power of the Holy Ghost in believing (Rom. 15:13), and we are admonished to “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Heb. 3:6.

God has an ideal plan for the Christian life, which he would be pleased to have followed by all. And this plan was expressed by a prophet in the following words: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jer. 29:11. The foregoing was sent to Israel while they were captives in Babylon, but it is applicable to us now. The Lord’s thoughts toward us are thoughts of peace, for he ever seeks our greatest good, and desires that “we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Shall we do it?

Aurora, Ill.