Finding Christ as our Peace

24 MAY

And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. Micah 5:5

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 9:1-7

How can we venture to believe the promise that in times of trouble, eventually all will be quiet and secure? Micah assures us, “this man” shall be our peace. We should thus be satisfied with the protection of the king whom God the Father gives us. Let the shadow of that king suffice us, for we shall be safe enough from all trouble.

We now see in what sense the prophet calls Christ the peace of His people, or of His church. God calls Christ His peace because He will drive far away all hurtful things. He will be armed with strength and invincible power to check all the ungodly, that they may not make war on the children of God or prevent them in their course, if they would cause any disturbances.

Christ is our peace in another way; for He reconciles us to the Father. What would it serve us to be safe from earthly annoyances if we were not certain of being reconciled with God? Unless our minds are sure of the paternal benevolence of God, we must necessarily tremble at all times, even if no one causes us any trouble. Even if all men were our friends and applauded us, our condition would still be miserable. We would surely struggle with restlessness unless our consciences were pacified with the sure confidence that God is our Father.

Christ can be our peace in no other way than by reconciling God to us. At the same time, the prophet promises that we shall lie safely under the shadow of Christ, so that we fear no evil. For though Satan furiously assails us, and the whole world becomes angry with us, we shall fear nothing if Christ keeps and protects us under His wings.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

The only real hope for peace in our world is for men and women to find peace with God. If the human race were to turn to Christ, we would soon find our world full of peace. Let us pray, then, for the Prince of Peace to reign in our world.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Seeking Peace with Others

22 MAY

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Micah 4:3

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 52

Micah now more fully explains how the gospel of Christ will be to the nations a standard of peace, like a banner that is raised up when soldiers engage in battle.

We learn that the real fruit of the gospel will not grow in us unless we exercise love and benevolence among one another and exert ourselves in doing good. The gospel may be purely preached among us at the present time, but when we consider how little progress we have made in brotherly love, we ought to be ashamed of our indolence. God daily proclaims that Christ is our peace with God. He graciously makes Christ propitious to us so that we may live in harmony with others. We indeed wish to be regarded as children of God and to enjoy the reconciliation obtained for us by the blood of Christ. But in the meantime, we tear one another apart and sharpen our teeth against each other. Our dispositions are cruel.

If we truly desire to be disciples of Christ, we must pay attention to the divine truth that each of us must strive to do good to his neighbor. This cannot be done without opposing the flesh, for we have a strong inclination to love self and to seek our own advantage. We must therefore put off these inordinate and sinful affections so that brotherly kindness may succeed in their place.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

The gospel brings peace and reconciliation. When these things are absent, we can be sure the gospel is absent, no matter how much religion is present. Are we agents of peace, or do we cause strife and division wherever we go?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Finding Peace and Happiness

22 APRIL

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely [i.e., find tranquility]: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:6

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 26: 1-13

The first requirement for a happy life is a tranquil and quiet mind. When all the things that people covet and what they think are necessary for happiness are heaped together, people cannot be other than miserable if their minds are not at ease.

It is then with good cause that tranquility is added when mention is made of salvation. Experience teaches us that we have no salvation unless we, in reliance on Christ the Mediator, have peace with God. Paul also mentions peace with God as the fruit of faith (Rom. 5:1). We can only be miserable without peace with God. Paul also says that miseries aid our salvation, for afflictions produce patience, patience exercises hope, and hope never makes us ashamed. Peace with God is the proof of salvation, because with it God truly shows that He is present with us.

We thus see how appropriate it is for the prophet to connect tranquility of mind with happiness. It is certain that we do not yet enjoy either full salvation or peace such as are promised here. But let us learn by faith what salvation and rest are, even in the midst of the agitations to which we are continually exposed, for we find rest in God only when we cast our anchor in heaven.

The prophet says Judah will be saved and that Israel will find tranquility. By this we know that he is referring to the kingdom of Christ from the beginning to the end. Therefore it is no wonder that he speaks of perfect happiness, the first-fruits of which are now beginning to appear.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

Restlessness and agitation are normal in the midst of challenges and difficulties. Looking to Christ anchors us in hope and quiets our anxieties. Have you found rest in the Eternal Hope? How is this simply a foretaste of what is yet to come?

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Comfort in the Midst of Death

30 MARCH

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. Psalm 138: 7

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 23

Here David declares that God chooses to be His preserver, even in that means bringing him back to life in the midst of troubles.

The passage well deserves our attention, for by nature we are so averse to suffering that we wish we might live safely beyond the shot of its arrows. We shrink from close contact with even the fear of death as something altogether intolerable. At the slightest approach to danger, we are immoderately afraid, as if our emergencies preclude the hope of divine deliverance.

Faith's true office is to see life in the midst of death. It is to trust the mercy of God, not to procure us universal exemption from evil, but to quicken us in the midst of death every moment of our lives. For God humbles His children under various trials so that His defense of them may be more remarkable and that He may show Himself to be their deliverer as well as their preserver. In the world, believers are constantly exposed to danger. David offers the assurance that He will be safe under God's protection from all of His enemies and their efforts. He declares His hope is in the hand of God, which is stretched out for His help and will be invincible and victorious over every foe.

From this we are taught that God chooses to exercise His children with continual conflict, so that, having one foot as it were in the grace, they may flee with alarm to hide themselves under His wings, where they may abide in peace.

John Calvin 

FOR MEDITATION: Rather than shrinking from enemies or danger, let us place our confidence in the Lord; He alone is willing and able to save us. This ought to give us a sense of peace, even in a world of trouble where enemies abound. What do you think David meant when he said, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" (Ps. 23:5a)? 

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Resting in God’s Favor

22 MARCH

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. Psalm 116:7

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 145

David now tells himself to rest because God has shown favor to him.

Is the experience of the grace of God enough to allay the fear and trepidation of our minds? That is what David seems to indicate here in saying that, since he has experienced the relief of divine aid, he can now return to rest. But if the faithful regain their peace of mind only after God manifests Himself as their deliverer, what room is there for the exercise of faith, and what power will the promises have to quiet our souls?

Surely, waiting calmly and silently for indications of God’s favor which is concealed from us is the undoubted evidence of faith. As strong faith quiets the conscience and composes the spirit, so, according to Paul, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” reigns supremely there (Phil. 4:7). Hence the godly remain unmoved, though the world around them seems to be falling unmoved, though the world around them seems to be falling into ruin.

What does it mean to return unto thy rest? However much the children of God may be driven hither and thither, yet they constantly derive support from the Word of God so that they cannot totally and finally fall away. In confiding in His promises,they throw themselves upon God's providence even while they are sorely distressed by disquieting fears and sadly buffeted by the storms of temptation. No sooner does God come to their assistance, than inward peace takes possession of their minds. Also, in the manifestation of God's grace, they are given grounds for joy and gladness.

This latter kind of quietness is what David asks for, declaring that, even though he has experienced much to cause agitation of mind, it is now time for him to delight himself calmly in God.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: The storms of life can so agitate our minds and spirits that our only option is to run in desperation to the Rock of our salvation. There we not only find relief from the temptations and attacks of life, but, by grace, we also are inwardly restored to rest, assured that God will care for us. Have you experienced this peace that passes understanding?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Finding Peace

5 FEBRUARY

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Psalm 16:9

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Nehemiah 8:9-12

In this verse the psalmist commends the inestimable fruit of faith. Under the protection of God, we not only enjoy mental tranquility but also live with joy and cheer. The essential part of a happy life is tranquility of conscience and of mind, whereas there is no greater unhappiness than to be tossed with a multiplicity of cares and fears.

The ungodly, however intoxicated with the spirit of thoughtlessness or stupidity, do not experience true joy or serene mental peace; rather, terrible agitations often come upon them and trouble them to constrain them to awake from their lethargy. In short, calm rejoicing is the lot of the person who has learned to place confidence in God alone, and to commit his life and safety to God’s protection.

When encompassed with innumerable troubles, let us then be persuaded that the only remedy is to direct our eyes toward God. If we do this, faith will not only ease our minds but will also replenish us with fullness of joy. That is not without cause, for true believers not only have joy in the secret affection of their heart but also manifest it with the tongue in glorifying God as the one who protects them and secures their salvation.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: The Christian life is characterized by deep, true joy, even in the midst of affliction. Do you know this kind of faith? How does directing our eyes to God bring peace in any circumstance?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke