"SIMPLY JESUS" DAILY DEVOTIONAL - PEACE PEACE - Saturday, October 25, 2014

"SIMPLY JESUS" DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE
Saturday, October 25, 2014
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COLOSSIANS 3:14
14. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
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Wars end, and peace is won when either one side is forced to surrender, or both sides decide to quit fighting. 

Jesus promised a peace that was different from this world's peace. He said, "my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth..."  (John 14:27)

His peace is not only different in cause, it is different in kind.

The peace of Christ is not won because we struggle, it is ours because Christ struggled in Gethsemane and then defeated the enemy of our souls at Calvary.  Man-made religions make men labor to secure blessings. Christ invites to rest in Him, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)  Christ "gives, preserves, and establishes" His peace in our hearts  He is the prince, promoter, and keeper of peace.  (Adam Clarke)

The peace of the world cannot bring peace with God.  But the peace of Christ always brings peace with God. Hallelujah.  "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 5:1

While the peace of the world is tenuous and often temporary, the peace of Christ is secure and enduring.  "And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

The peace of the world is disrupted by the tribulations of daily life.  But the peace of Christ sustains God's people in every trial.  Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  John 16:33.

The peace of the world is imposed. The peace of Christ is imparted by the Author of Peace.  "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."  (Romans 8:6).

Wherever you find the peace of Christ you find, "righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost."  (Romans 14:17)  Those endued with this peace, "abound in hope," (Romans 15:13).  And their Savior guides their feet into "the way of peace."  Luke 1:79.

And where the Prince of Peace rules, the spirit of peace prevails.  It is this peace that marks the children of God.  Peace within makes them blessed ambassadors of peace.  Hear the Lord teaching on the Mount, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Dr. Adam Clarke comments, "The continual prevalence of the peace of Christ is the decisive proof that the heart is right with God.  When a man loses his peace, it is an awful proof that he has lost something else; that he has given way to evil, and grieved the Spirit of God."

125 years ago Warren Cornell found his way to an old fashioned Methodist tent revival meeting in Wisconsin.  After seeking the Lord, Cornell took out a piece of paper and penned, "Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight, rolls a melody sweeter than Psalm..."  After sometime the poet arose and unwittingly dropped the written verses on the ground.  An hour or two later, Mr. William Cooper walked into the tent and found that paper.  Taking it in his hands he read the verses and was so moved he completed the poem and composed the melody we sing today. May we find and never lose the peace of Christ they so beautifully expressed in song:

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

 

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!

 

And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:

 

Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept this sweet peace so sublime!

AND WHO GIVES THIS PEACE?  SIMPLY JESUS!