IT was once remarked, by one who had been a great observer of human nature, that the man who could listen well would be a more general favorite than he who could speak well. It shows deference to others to hear with attention what they have to say, and we do not fail to claim it at the hands of our inferiors in age or position. But oh! marvel of marvels, God, the creator of the heavens and of the earth, speaks, and man heeds it not! He speaks in His Word; He speaks by His Spirit; He speaks through providential dealings; but the ear is deaf, the heart is closed, to the words of His love and mercy!
But stay! there is one willing to listen, for he says, “I will hear what God the Lord will speak” (Psa. 85:88I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. (Psalm 85:8)). And what a sweet message falls upon his attentive ear! A message most welcome to any poor heart who has learned how sin has alienated it from a holy God: — “He will speak peace.”
Reader, have you peace? Do you feel that you would give anything you have in the world to obtain it? The Son of God has made peace with God for you at the cost of His own life. “Having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)). “He is our peace” (Eph. 2:1414For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:14)). He suffered the just penalty due for, sin in His own body on the cross; and having finished the work which glorified God, and having opened the way of approach to Him, He comes forth in resurrection, speaking peace to every believing soul (John 20:1919Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)).
The Word of God tells us, in Romans 5:1,1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1) how we get this peace, simply by believing. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The absence of peace results from our, uncertainty as to how we stand with God. We know we must meet Him sooner or later; we long to know how we can meet His holy claims, how we can turn away His wrath against rebellious and guilty creatures. God meets the repentant soul in grace with the assurance of peace, perfect peace. There is but to accept the terms He proposes. He is ready to pardon, and is the Justifier of all who believe that Jesus died for them. He preaches peace by Jesus Christ; as Peter says, “Preaching peace by Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:3636The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts 10:36)).
Oh, wondrous grace! would you add to your already grievous burden of sin the blackest sin of all, that of refusing to listen to this message of peace? Will you refuse to accept Christ as your peace? If in simple faith, laying aside all your thoughts and questionings, you reply, “I will hear what God the Lord will speak,” He will speak peace to you, and will fill you with joy and peace in believing; and His own peace, “which passeth all understanding, shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.”
E. H.