SUNDAY READING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 29 November 1930, Page 15

SUNDAY READING

LET US HAVE PIEAtCE. (By Pastor Lj R. ‘Harvey.) Teaco and rest! With wliat music d-o these words fall upon the ear of him who is in trouble, distress, and apparently hopeless perplexity! Earnestly is the question asked, I® there- a place of peace, rest:, and .calm confidence and quiet? ‘To- all- who are earnestly and truly making these- inquiries to-dav, if they will but invite Him, .the Master Willi 'come, just as He did' to the fear distraught disciples as- -they we're quavering in that upper room, and speak t'he •comforting word, “Peace, be unto you.” John 20:1-9. Just before His crucifixion, the Master gave to His disciples, and- through them to- all coming ages, the precious words: “Peace I leave .with you; My peaeei I give aui.t-o you; n-ot as the world giveth, give I unto you. 'Let not your heart- be troubled, neither lot it be fearful.” John. 14:27.

The: Lord of glory affirms- to e'a'ch onto of His- followers, “Peace X leave with you.” 1 And this peace is- that which comforted His own heart in His distresses' and sorrows 'while doing Ilis work here upon earth, for He says: “My peace I give unto you.” What a wonderful treasure this is! The very peace -that welled up in the heart, of the Lord Jesus' Himself, He imparts to each -one of His followers. He knows the disti-cis-ses, the perplexities, and the despairs of this life, for the. prophet, speaking of Him said- He was a “man of. sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”, Audi again the prophet declares': “Surely He- hath borne our griefs, and e-artie&l -our sorrows.”

Isaiah 53:3.4. In Hi's own person, as the Son of man, He bore our griefs. He was acquainted with all the things that, distress and perplex poor, .sinsufferin'g humanity. And He leaves with us the grenit legacy of 'His own blessed peace of mind and heart. He does not promise us freedom from tribulation and distress, but -He does, promise us peace and 'cheer in the midst of all trials- and 'difficulties, for wo have His words; “These things have I spoken unto you, that in thee ye might have pe.aicc. In the world ye have tribulation; but be of good' cheer; I have’ overcome the worl-d.” John--16:33.

How hea'ftening, how inspiring, arc those words*of the 'Master!' In Him we are to have peace. Even though we are in« the (world of tribulation, we are nevertheless to ’“'be- of good cheer,” lb Oca use -of the wonderful knowledge that Christ lias -overcome the world. He has- gained for us, to use the words of the apostle, '“the peace of -God, which passeth all understanding.” Philippians 4:7. He passes on to eat 1 h one who will receive it this heavenly heritage. No individual who ever lived, suffered more, perhaps, for [he caiuse and the name of Christ than did the apostle Paul. He> was in the midst of trials, of privation-, of hard labours, and of -cruel persecutions -all through his Christian warfare. And listen to the courageous words- of that old -soldier of the ’Cross sis- lie says, “Let the peo'ee- of Christ rule in your hearts, to which also ye were called in one (body, and bo vo thankful.” Coloss-iousi 3:15. The peace -of 'God is to rule and reign in the heart, and whatever our conditions or distresses, live are to- -be “thankful,” because we may be- conscious every moment of the fact that Christ has -conquered' for us, and that ultimate and eternal victory are- ours. May we indeed let the peace, of Christ rule in our hearts, because the eternal G-cd is- with- us. Perhaps there isi no greater or more consoling promise in all tho Sacred Book than- these words of Isaiah the prophet: “Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, where mind l is stayed upon Thee; beea'usei He trustefh in Thee.”' 'lsaiah 26:3. What a supremely joyous thing i't is to have this rich experience! How good l it is to know- in our own souls this “perfect peace!”' The mind that is stayed upon -God andl trusts in Him is 'conscious of the presence of the Infinite. The individual knows that almighty power possesses 'him! and- -care for him; therefore he is in trustful, joyous and(- ■“perfect peace. ’ ’ The person- who is resting in this experience knows something of the treasure of the promise, “To him 'that overconfcth, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will l give him a white stone, and- upon the stone a new name | written, which no one knowe-th but he that receiveth, it.” Revelation '2:1(7. The. hidden' manna is ai treasure for all who will -receive it. It- is- hidden: only from those who shut their eyes and turn away from it. THERE -SHALL BE STABILITY There are multitudes of people- who feel that the very foundations of government and of society are- -giving way. They are perplexed, and: utter words of deep anxiety as they cast their eyes over the 'conditions of 'crime, of lawlessness, of folly, of the wild orgies of the un-ad' rounds of pleasure that they see flooding our world. 'But in inch times as these, how consoling it, is- to know the s-ure foundations' of the sternal- rock of God’s word! 'Our God says that, despite all these conditions, “there shall be stability in thy times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge-; the fear of Jehovah- is- thy treasure.” Isaiah 33:6. What a b leasing i't is- personally to know the 'God who gives- stability and an abundance of salvation as well as wisdom and' knowledge! And how in-describably-glorious is- the experience of having the “treasure” of '“‘the fear of Jehovah!” Indeed the fear of Jehovah is a blessed treasure. Tt is priceless albove rubies, or -gold, or silver, or any of -the things that this earth, has 'to offer. Those who entCT into this experience know it and- rejoice in it. There can no calamitous conditions disturb the tranquility and the quiet -and the rejoicing of -their s-ouls.