Pioneer Christian Monthly - July, 1979

Peace Perfect Peace
R. A. Hartmans

ROMANS 5: 1

During the summer many people will leave their houses in city or town to Find some spiritual renewal in the country side. Pulling a trailer or carrying a backpack they seek to Find a place where they can be alone. In a boat on the water, or sitting on the side of a forest, they soak in the beauty and peace of nature.

Often too soon it is time to leave again, back to home, school, church and work - back to life with its many tensions and problems. Indeed the knowledge that we must return soon to our daily routine may disturb the peace of our vacation. We might even wish that we would never have to face again the disturbances of daily life.

Yet, we don't need to be out in nature to know peace. On the other hand we may be surrounded by the most tranquil environment and still feel disturbed and restless inwardly.

And so the question comes up "how can we know peace?" Before we answer that question, let us look briefly at what causes the disturbance of our peace. There may be outward circumstances: Unfortunate family relationships, unpleasant working conditions or too many demands on our time can be very upsetting.

At the same time people have been able to cope with the gravest of circumstances without losing their inner tranquility. Thus the Apostle Paul could write from prison: "I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content. . ." (T.E.V. Philippians 4:12.)

Some of the great hymns of the church were written by people whose personal lives had been afflicted by disaster. On November 22, 18 73 H. G. Spafford lost his four children when their ship sank in the middle of the Atlantic. Soon after he wrote these moving lines:

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea-billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

'It is well, it is well with my soul."'

This seems to indicate that it is not the outward circumstances which determine our tranquility, but our inward attitude.

Long ago the famous St. Augustine indicated that the soul will not know rest unless he finds rest in God. Which thought reminds us of Isaiah 26: 3, "You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose Firm and put their trust in you." (T.E.V.)

Our Lord Jesus Christ has shown us the Father God who will give us perfect peace. He is the God who has created us, who knows us by name and who loves us. The more we place Him at the centre of our existence, the more we will know peace, whether we are on vacation or surrounded by the problems and pressures of our daily life.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.