There is an important difference between having peace with God and having the peace of God. The former has to do with our sins. The latter has to do with our sorrows.
Peace with God is connected with our conscience, and depends upon the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification.
The work done for us by Christ at Calvary secures this blessing for us the moment we believe. That which was wrought outside of us produces the inward peace. The look without brings the peace within. Every question about our sins has been settled at the cross, and our consciences are set at perfect rest.
The peace of God is that peace which God Himself enjoys. It is unruffled and unbroken. We who believe the glad good news of His gospel may know it, too. But our enjoyment of this depends upon our “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” making our requests known to God. As we unburden our hearts to Him, telling out all our desires, His peace will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The difficulties and sorrows may not be removed, but our spirit is lifted above them into an atmosphere of holy peace and quiet.
Some years ago two friends were traveling in Switzerland. One of them ascended the Rigi, leaving his companion at the foot of the mountain. While they were separated, a heavy thunderstorm broke over the valley. The friend at the bottom of the Rigi telegraphed to his friend at the top.
“There is an awful thunderstorm raging here.” The friend at the top telegraphed back,
“Come up here. We are above the storm.”
When we unbosom ourselves before our God and Father, we are carried above the storm. It still rages, but our hearts are restful, confiding in Him who has all power in His hand. As the prophet says,
The Lord Jesus knew this peace amid all the sorrows of His rejection here. He reposed upon the infinite love and wisdom of His Father, and was unperturbed by all that came upon Him.
“Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight,” was His utterance When His refusal by men was becoming more and more clear.
“My peace I give unto you,” He said to His own as He brought them into His place of nearness and dearness before His Father and His God. He would have us share with Him His restfulness—His peace—the peace of God which passeth all understanding.