p. 8 | The Peace of God by C. H. Bliss

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 14, 1911

The Peace of God

By C. H. Bliss

“GREAT peace have they which love Thy law.” This peace is not an outward peace, such as the world gives. Says Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

The world can not ease the guilty conscience. It can not quiet the troubled waters. It has nothing to offer. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it can not rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” But of the righteous it is said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.” There are reasons why the Christian may enjoy such peace.

FIRST, God is our Father, and He is not only able but willing to supply all our needs. This was demonstrated by Christ, who represented the Father when He was on earth. He could feed a multitude in the wilderness with the five loaves and a few fishes. If necessary He could turn the stones into bread, or He could sustain life without natural food. He could gather money from the fish’s mouth. He could heal the sick and raise the dead. All nature was subject to His command.

SECOND, God rules and controls all things. “He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand.” “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

If these words of inspiration are true, then may we know of a surety “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” And the natural fruit of such faith is “quietness and assurance forever.” Isa. 32: 17.

THIRD, God knows His people. He knows their weakness. He knows every thought, and every desire of the heart. And tho they sin, He does not forsake them, for He loves them “with an everlasting love.” He says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;” and, “Tho he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down.”

In all this there is much peace and comfort. But if we would enjoy this peace in all its fulness, we must recognize God, not only as a loving Father, but as our rightful Sovereign, whose commands we are to obey. “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” “O that thou hadst harkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”

Full and complete submission to God, recognizing His guiding hand in all the affairs of life, believing that all things are working out for His glory and our eternal good, will bring such peace and calmness to the soul, that our cup of joy will be continually full and overflowing. Truly “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”