Peace with God

"When trouble comes, whether external or internal threats to our physical or spiritual welfare, we are to turn inside out. Our first inclination at these times is the opposite. Like a turtle withdrawing into its shell at the sign of danger, we turn inward and grab hold of our own resources to sustain us. But as counterintuitive as it is for us, we must turn outward at precisely these times and hope only in the Lord, whatever our conscience threatens, whatever blandishments Satan offers, whatever our experience tells us is the obvious case" (Michael Horton, A Place for Weakness, p.176/7).

PEACE WITH GOD

Restless searching of my heart, striving for its goal

To find the one thing that it lacked - peace within my soul.

I thought I’d found it once, you see, and nothing could now come

To take away my peace with God through Jesus, His Own Son.

Eyes were lifted high to see the Glorious King of Kings,

Ears echoed with the gospel promise that only Jesus brings,

How sweet the taste of God’s own Word , pure honey on my lips

A heart transformed from stone to flesh, locked in Heaven’s grip.

My heart o’erflowed with peace and hope as I stood on mountain peaks,

By God’s grace He held me close, such joy I couldn’t speak;

And dimmer grew the memory of a darker, harder walk,

And lighter was the grip I held of helmet, shield and sword.

One well-judged blow from the enemy sent me crashing to the ground

I lay there dazed and wounded, armour scattered all around

But what caused me the greatest grief as I tried to stand once more

Was feeling that my peace was gone, peace with my Loving Lord.

How can this be? I asked myself, tears streaming down my face

For God’s elect always have peace once given by His grace –

I drew a sad conclusion then that filled my heart with fear

I’d never really known His peace, never been drawn near.

But then through dark and brooding clouds I heard a distant cry

The voice of saints exhorting me - “Pick up your sword and fight!”

Eyes now growing clearer, I grasped that precious blade

And once I felt it in my hands my soul was less afraid.

For now I saw that God’s own Word speaks Truth for all to hear

Defeating lies of enemies and driving out my fear

“Since we’ve been justified by faith, we have peace with God!”

The sword had done its work once more, my feet stood on firm Rock.

Oh! peace with God! Such blessed peace! ‘tis sweeter now I see

That what I thought I’d lost I’ve found, was never gone from me!

I pray I might be wiser now, as I firmly hold my sword

Not trusting in my feelings – but the Word of my Lord.