Here is a nice thought to enjoy.

- 1 Watchman


PEACE AND JOY
Knowing And Showing it


God desires that His children have peace and joy, as the Word of God declares---"the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom.14:17). He intends that the saints abide in this state regardless of circumstances. - R. DeWitt, '04; rev. 8/10

If one is truly a child of God, one can truly have peace and joy according to God's provision. These appear to be indicators of our spiritual state. If one does not enjoy this blessing, something must be hindering it.

Nehemiah said: "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh.8:10). Is one in the kingdom of God? Is one standing in righteousness (see Rom.10:1-10), and is one then appropriating these blessings for strength?

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal.5:22-23). If we possess the Spirit of God the fruit ought to be manifested ---even in our trials. If others can see it they will see a witness of the power of Christ in one. If one is not saved and possessing eternal life, that one cannot bear fruit for God, but real believers can.

Could it be we are looking fearfully at the "great tempest in the sea" (Matt.8:24-25), and dwelling too much on the conditions around us and our reasoning? Even in the face of trouble and sorrow we are blessed and need to be at peace, for Jesus promised His own: "Lo, I am with you always" (Matt.28:20). Certainly, trouble can weigh heavily on us, but we must not let it defeat us. We need to draw near to our Lord for peace in our circumstances, for He will preserve us.

Jesus said: "As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His Love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (see John 15).

Isaiah said: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee" (Isa. 26:3). This is difficult to do, but nevertheless a truth. The psalmist said: "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety" (Psa.4:8). Do we believe that?

The Word says: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (I Pet.1:8). In Philippians 4:4 the apostle said: "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice". That is not just because of salvation, but speaks broadly of redemption truth, and because we have a new life and we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph.1:3). Do we live daily in the good of that calling?

Jesus said: "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 can see three kinds of peace God gives: In Romans 5:1 true believers have assurance of "peace with God"; and in Philippians 4:4 they see they can enjoy the "peace of God"; and that is because they possess the "God of peace" (Rom.15:33).

So, let us rest with this blessing: "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom.15:13). - RLD