Alicia Blackwood :: Jehovah Shalom—The Lord send peace

Part I. JEHOVAH SHALOM

Behold! upon the door of entrance, "Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus"- (1 Peter 5:14).

Jehovah Shalom! The Lord revealed this name to Gideon by the rock in Ophra, and Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord and called it by that name (Judges 6:24).

Yes! by the rock in Ophrah, Gideon had seen the "Prince of Peace-had seen Him face to face" (Judges 6:22) and here he was reconciled to Him who had thus revealed Himself. "Peace be unto thee; fear not, thou shalt not die" (Judges 6:23). And that voice of love so reassuring to Gideon still echoes from Ophrah's rock to us.

"Peace be unto thee; fear not, thou shalt not die." Jesus the Angel of the Lord has appeared unto us-Jesus has come, and proclaimed peace good will towards men-Jesus has come, and reconciled this alienated world once more to God, for "God was in Christ reconciling this world unto Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19).

"Unto you a Child is born, and He shall be called the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Peace was the burden of the Angel's song when unto us that Child was born-and Peace was the legacy of the Prince of Peace as He ascended again to Heaven.

Peace is the atmosphere of Heaven and every blessing which comes from thence is perfumed with its sweetness.

When Eve and Adam turned from the command-"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof, dying thou shalt die" (Genesis 2:17)-and yielded to the lying words of Satan, their peace was gone, and they were afraid; they could not henceforth walk with God! The purity of their life was gone, and the carnal mind, no longer subject to the law of God, became enmity against Him.

"To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey" (Romans 6:18). And they now had yielded obedience to him who is the counsellor of sin unto death. The Prince of this world, whose friendship is enmity with God, now claimed them. Henceforth the world lieth in the wicked one, and the shadow of death is over all. Thus man serving Satan was alienated from God, for there is no concord between Him and Belial.

But aliens as we were, the love of God was so great that in the hour of Adam's fall, the promise of restoration was given, and the fiat to Satan went forth-"the seed of the woman shall bruise thy head" (Genesis 3:15).

And in the fulness of time that seed of the woman came, the Saviour which is Christ the Lord.<//p>

In love and in pity God looked upon fallen man as afterward He looked upon Jerusalem when He said, "Behold I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth" (Jeremiah 33:6). "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Yes! the "counsel of peace was there between the Father and Son" (Zechariah 6:13). For Jehovah Shalom was His name.

"Then thou spakest in vision to Thy Holy One, and saidst, I have laid help upon One that is mighty" (Psalm 89:19).

And He that was mighty "wondered that there was no intercessor, therefore His own arm brought salvation" (Isaiah 59:16).  "Lo! I come, I delight to do Thy will, O my God" (Psalm 40:7-8).

"Deliver him from going into the pit, I have found a ransom" (Job 33:24).

Thus God devised a means "through the Beloved that His banished be not expelled from Him" (2 Samuel 14:14). And we who were alienated and enemies yet now hath He reconciled, "having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20).

Through the shedding of blood only is remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22) and Jesus by His own blood hath obtained that remission for us; He was "made a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13), that which alienated us from God was laid on Him, while His righteousness is imputed to us. The veil of the temple, on that awful day when darkness covered the quaking world, was rent in twain, the wall of partition was broken down, not that only between Jew and Gentile, but a new and living way was opened up giving access to the Father through the veil, that is to say, the flesh of our great High Priest (Hebrews 10:19-20).

And now, O Lord Jesus, hast Thou by this, the sacrifice of thine own self reconciled all believers and made them one with Thyself, "That all may be one, as Thou Father art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us" (John 17:21).

Truly the Gospel of the Grace of God is in this Tower, for here is the peace which passeth all understanding. And God "commendeth His love to us in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). We were banished by our iniquities, at enmity with Him, while continually stretching out the hand against God and strengthening ourselves against the Almighty (Job 15:25).

Oh this was love indeed! For us He suffered, for us "He bore reproach, for our sakes shame covered His face" (Psalm 69:7). It was for our sakes He said, "Father, not my will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42). In Him the Lord "ordained peace for us" and we are accepted in the Beloved. It is here that "mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10-11).

It is here that Truth sprang out of the earth-for behold! a virgin shall conceive and bear a son. Thus Truth became incarnate-while Rightousness looked down from Heaven-"and thou shalt call His name Immanuel!" (Isaiah 7:14). It is here the prophetic promise is unfolded and "Wonderful is His name"(Isaiah 9:6).

When the "Day spring from on high" (Luke 1:78) visits us, and the Lord passes by, saying, "Live" (Ezekiel 16:6), quickening us with His spirit, then do the gifts of peace and joy, those blessed satellites of the Sun of Righteousness fill us with adoration and praise. Oh then there is true sunshine within, known and enjoyed; though it may be perchance with a tearful eye, (that frequent expression of a full heart), while Jesus leads us to His Holy Mountain to make us joyful in His House of prayer. "For my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:18).

And who can estimate the results? To be reconciled to God, to receive that peace which Jesus gave to His disciples, not "as the world giveth," no! the world knows nothing of that inward peace: the world is full of turmoil and empty mirth "like the crackling of thorns under a pot" (Ecclesiastes 7:6) and the peace of which it boasts, is but the careless sleep of death.

While we are here, in this world of discord, we shall have tribulation. Jesus tells us so, but adds "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Trials must await us here below, but St. Paul desires that "no man should be moved by these afflictions for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto" (1 Thessalonians 3:3). And we need them, no precious metal will be left in its dross: and to the Father the redeemed are all precious, for they are the redeemed of His own beloved Son. They are "the children whom Thou hast given him" (Hebrews 2:13) and all that the Father hath given unto Jesus, shall come unto him, and He is the refiner, He will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as gold is tried. Even the great and strong wind and the earthquake may be there, and the sharp fire of conviction, but when they have passed, then will the children of God hear the still small voice, "It is I, be not afraid," Jehovah Shalom is nigh. Thus sheltered in this tower we can say "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me" (Psalm 138:7). "Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Through the love of Christ, the Prince of Peace, the sword of vengeance which was over our heads because of sin, is sheathed; the scale of justice is satisfied, through the perfect obedience and atonement which Jesus has made; and justification by faith in Him is our security, and there is now no more condemnation; while the song of rejoicing angels is resounded in heaven itself: and the "delight of Jesus over the sons of men" (Proverbs 8:31) is restored, as "He sees of the travail of His soul and is satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11).

Oh Lord! shall we ever love Thee as we ought? Can we love Thee even now as Mary did?

Ah! if the heart were filled with love, how peacefully through faith in Christ could we look beyond the waves of this troubled earth, and stretch forth joyfully to that region where peace, unbroken peace is the atmosphere pervading all.

But here we are yet encompassed with this body of death, and perfect peace cannot be where Satan carries on his watchful warfare, and we must be ever watchful too, and ever cry "Jehovah Shalom." And the Prince of peace will be with us, and will not suffer the inward citadel to be retaken, and under our shield of faith, even in the midst of Satan's turmoil, we shall hear those sweet and precious words "My peace I give unto thee" (John 14:27).

Yes! God be praised, having led us to believe the Word of Truth, having led us to cry Abba, Father! that endearing title by which Jesus has privileged us to approach His Father, the Father hath assured us of a perfect reconciliation with Himself. He hath "also sealed us and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:22) and the impress of that seal is "the Lord knoweth them that are His" (2 Timothy 2:19).

Oh what words of peace and comfort are in the Scriptures, and all who truly seek that inestimable treasure, in Christ shall surely find it and no where else can it be found.

How glorious will be that day when as in the days of Solomon wars shall cease, when the greater than Solomon, the Prince of peace Himself shall claim the kingdoms of this world to be His own and when all shall know Him from the least unto the greatest; when His will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven; and many people shall go and say, "Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and He will teach us of His ways and we will walk in His paths" (Isaiah 2:3).

Oh then shall the daughter of Zion rejoice and the daughter of Jerusalem shout when her King cometh, "and He shall speak peace unto the heathen: and His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth" (Zechariah 9:9-10). "Then shall the spears be beaten into pruning hooks;" (Isaiah 2:4) and as in Eden, "instead of the briar shall be the myrtle tree," (Isaiah 55:13). "when the wolf shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard with the kid, and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). And this day will come, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it, and He is Jehovah Shalom!

"Peace be unto you, from Him which is, and which was and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before the throne; and from Jesus Christ who is the Faithful Witness" (Revelation 1:4).

Thou knowest Lord, the weariness and sorrow
Of the sad heart that comes to Thee for rest;
Cares of to-day, and burdens for tomorrow,
Blessings implored, and sins to be confessed;
We come before Thee at Thy gracious word,
And lay them at Thy feet-Thou knowest, Lord.

Thou knowest all the past; how long and blindly
On the dark mountains the lost wanderer stray'd;
How the good Shepherd followed, and how kindly
He bore it home, upon His shoulders laid;
And healed the bleeding wounds and sooth'd the pain
And brought back life, and hope, and strength again.

Thou knowest all the present-each temptation
Each toilsome duty, each foreboding fear;
All to each one assigned of tribulation,
Or to beloved ones, than self more dear,
All pensive memories, as we journey on,
Longing for vanish'd smiles and voices gone.

Thou knowest all the future-gleams of gladness
By stormy clouds too quickly overcast;
Hours of sweet fellowship, and parting sadness
And the dark river to be crossed at last.
O what could hope and confidence afford
To tread that path-But Thou Thyself, O Lord!

Thou knowest, not alone as God, all knowing;
As man-our mortal weakness Thou hast proved
On earth, with purest sympathies o'erflowing
O Saviour Thou hast wept, and Thou hast loved;
And love and sorrow still to Thee may come,
And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home.

Part II. JEHOVAH SHALOM

What is depressing the heart of my friend? Is it fear, that the Lord has forsaken you? Is it that the dispensations of the Providence of God are hard and dark, and too mysterious to comprehend? And is "Why?" upon the lip?

Ah! chase it hence. Let not the subtle foot of Satan cross your path. Take shelter in this Tower, and listen rather to the gentle whisper of the Com"Can a woman forget her sucking child? Yea, she may forget; yet will I not forget thee." "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands!" (Isaiah 49:15-16).

Oh! those pierced hands! Nay, can you so distrust that love which suffered thus for you, to bring you to Himself, by thinking He has left you?

It is true there are times when God may for a moment hide Himself, for He dwelleth in thick darkness; and when He hideth His face we are troubled, and ready to cry out, "Lord, why castest Thou off my soul? Why hidest Thou Thy face from me?" (Psalm 88:14). Is it not so? But the Lord would have us wait-"wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 87:7). Therefore fear not, the Lord Jesus loves His redeemed with an everlasting love; a love which cannot change.

"For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer" (Isaiah 54:7-8). Such were the words to Israel, and we, as the spiritual Israel, may appropriate them, for He too is our Redeemer; and every child of God knows how truly they are fulfilled.

Then fear not, dear friend. Let not Satan cast a doubt; let nothing rob you of that peace Jesus is so ready to bestow.

Bear in mind, none are exempt from trial. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous," we are told. But that should not disturb the Christian's peace, for "The Lord will deliver him out of them all" (Psalm 34:19).

It is well for us to be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, who, in the hour of His great sacrifice, was forsaken of all. "That the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled, then all the disciples forsook Him and fled" (Matthew 26:56).

Yes; shall we not think of Him who-when about to end His life on earth by that tremendous sacrifice-set aside Himself that He might comfort those He loved, and whom He was about to leave? He was to be the suffering, dying One, not they; nevertheless He ministered to them, not they to Him. Alas! poor frail children of the dust, even His chosen ones "could not watch with Him one hour" (Matthew 26:40). No; not even in His agony in Gethsemane.

Yet, how did He meet them when He rose from the dead and returned to them?

"Peace be unto you" (John 20:19). He had promised them the Comforter, but He would first comfort them Himself. How great is the love of Jesus! No word of reproach, only love. "Peace be unto you." Oh, how should this increase our love-our faith!

And what precious gifts has not Jesus given to His disciples. After the raising of Lazarus, and when persecuted by the High Priest who sought His life, Jesus retired with His disciples to a "country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim" (John 11:54). It is probable that in this quiet retreat many of His last consoling words were spoken, and in that jewelled chapter, the 14th of St. John, the promise was given that the Comforter should bring all things which He had said to their remembrance" (John 14:26).

And was that comfort and that promise meant for the eleven disciples only? Oh, no! They were to write those words of remembrance, that we might believe and be partakers of that peace which Jesus would give. The "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1) is a word to you and to me, and to all "which shall believe on Him through their word" (John 17:20).

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you" (John 14:27) is for us also, and it is in believing this that we enjoy it. In all times, in all circumstances, it is our happiness, our consolation; and without it, there can be neither.

The world may cry Peace, peace! but it has none to give. Sin, which separates from God, has broken up that peace and joy which we, being made in the image of God, were designed to possess, and now the contrast is here: "To be carnally-minded is death; but to be spiritually-minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

Jesus only is our Peace; He has reconciled us unto God through that blood-bought reconciliation. Jesus is that Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep; and with David may we say: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters; He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:2-3).

Peace is Heaven, and Heaven is Peace. It is Heaven begun on earth-a foretaste of that Heavenly inheritance to which we are called-for we are not to live for this world.

Think, again, of the High and Holy Calling which is set before us! and that we may be educated to it and prepared for it, God has promised to dwell with us here. "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; they shall be My people, and I will be their God" (2 Corinthians 6:16). And Jesus has added yet more: "My Father will love you, and we will come unto you, and make our abode with you" (John 14:23). It is in communion with God that the soul finds peace; but here is even more than communion with God. Oh! think, dear friend, of all the precious things which this reconciliation has procured for us. It gives us to find pleasure in whatever appertains to God; it is a walking with Him; and He would have us walk with Him as Enoch did. He would have us speak with Him as He did with Abraham, for henceforth we should be called "Friends." He would show us heavenly things as He did to Moses, and lead us to Heaven as Joshua led His people into Canaan; and that hour will come when peace with God, and the Peace of God alone, can comfort and sustain us, and give us to pass through the valley fearing no evil.

Oh! the happiness of being accepted in the Beloved, and elevated to be one with Him, "Whom having not seen we love, and in whom, though now we see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). Peace gives an atmosphere of love, and love gives peace; and where love and peace exist joy is certainly inseparable. For how filled with joy is he who has found peace with God!

Thus if we are in Christ, and Christ in us, our salvation is secure. For a moment faith may fail, and peace is dependent on faith. In sickness the body is weak, and the mind in sympathy feeble; and the heavily-burdened heart feels no relief. We are but fickle changing creatures. Nowhere on this earth is true stability to be found. See how Elijah's faith failed him after his great testimony of God. "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:4). David experienced the same, "So foolish was I and ignorant" (Psalm 73:22). But were they forsaken therefore? Oh, no! "Nevertheless," says the latter, "I am continually with thee. Thou hast holden me by my right hand" (Psalm 73:23); and so will He hold you, dear friend. For the promise is, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:28).

If you have sorrow, yet can His peace keep you. For, hear the word, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee&Quot;-"because he trusteth in Thee." "Trust ye in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength" (Isaiah 26:3-4). Oh, dear friend, grasp the promise-for trusting in the Lord it is yours. Let your response be, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24).

O Rock of Ages! since on Thee
By grace my feet are planted,
'Tis mine in tranquil faith to see
The rising storm undaunted.

Within Thy clefts I love to hide
When darkness o'er me closes,
There peace and light serene abide,
And my still heart reposes.

Peace is never to be found without Christ, but it is always the portion of those who seek Him as their Saviour, for it is in thus finding Him that our sins are forgiven, cast "from us into the depth of the sea" (Micah 7:19). There can be no peace to any human being whose sins are still upon him. It is the removal of that burden which gives rest to the soul, and then peace-"that peace of God which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) fills the heart, and mind, and soul.

Oh! fear not, dear friend, to trust Him who laid down His life for you. Never indulge in unbelief. It destroys all peace, and is the temptation of Satan, and dishonours God. Ah! how did God bewail the unbelief and disobedience of Israel. "Oh! that thou hadst hearkened unto My commandments; then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea" (Isaiah 48:18).

Or as our Lord, when weeping over Jerusalem, "Oh! that thou hadst known the things which belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes" (Luke 19:42). Let your prayer be-

Searcher of hearts! O, search me still!
The secrets of my soul reveal;
My fears remove: let me appear
To God and my own conscience clear.
Each evidence of grace impart,
And deeply sanctify my heart.

Oh! never indulge in unbelief. Know assuredly that "every word of God is true from the beginning" (Psalm 119:160). "For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in Heaven" (Psalm 119:89). His promises cannot fail, so may we "draw near to Jesus with a true heart in full assurance of faith, and hold fast the profession of that faith without wavering" (Hebrews 10:22-23).

"The covenant of My peace shall not be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee" (Isaiah 54:10). "The Lord is not a man that He should repent" (1 Samuel 15:29). Therefore we are to be "confident of this very thing, that He, which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

Oh, yes; the redeemed of the Lord have their names written in the Lamb's book of life, and who shall blot them out? These blessings of the Lord endure for ever. If we make this Tower our refuge, Jehovah Shalom will not fail us, for it is written in words which none can efface, "Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16).

Such words must fill the soul with peace and joy, and in adversity's darkest hour they yet attune the heart to praise.

All here may fade-nay, will fade-but that Peace bequeathed to us by Christ, that sweetest legacy of Jesus, shall give us rest for ever and for ever.

A mind at perfect 'peace' with God,
Oh, what a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood;
This, this, indeed is peace.

By nature and by practice far-
How very far from God!
Yet now by grace brought nigh to Him,
Through faith in Jesus' blood.

So nigh, so very nigh to God,
I cannot nearer be,
For in the person of His Son,
I am as near as He.

So dear, so very dear to God,
More dear I cannot be;
The love wherewith He loves the Son,
Such is His love to me.

Why should I ever careful be,
Since such a God is mine?
He watches o'er me night and day,
And tells me 'mine is thine.'

That one thing needful, that good part
Which Mary chose with all her heart,
I would pursue with heart and mind,
And seek unwearied till I find.

Hidden in Christ the treasure lies,
That goodly pearl of so great price;
No other way but Christ there is
To endless happiness and bliss.

O Jesus Christ, my Lord and God,
Who hast redeemed me with Thy blood,
By faith unite my heart to Thee,
That we may never parted be.