Peace and rest do not belong to those who have not been born again. They are the peculiar possession of the Lord's people, and theirs alone. The God of Peace gives perfect peace to those whose hearts are stayed upon him.

When humanity was still innocent, God gave us Eden's flowering gardens as our quiet resting place. Alas! How quickly sin destroyed that beautiful home of innocence! When the flood swept away a guilty world, the chosen family rested secure in the ark—that resting place which carried them from the old, condemned world into the new world of rainbow and covenant. And that ark pictures Jesus, the ark of our salvation.

Israel rested safely under blood-sprinkled doorways in Egypt while the destroying angel struck down the firstborn all around them. In the wilderness, the shadow of the pillar of cloud and the water flowing from the rock gave those weary pilgrims sweet rest.

And right now, at this very hour, we rest in the promises of our faithful God. We know his words are full of truth and power! We rest in the doctrines of his Word, which are consolation itself. We rest in the covenant of his grace, which is a haven of delight. We are more highly favored than David hiding in the cave of Adullam, or Jonah sitting under his gourd, because no one can invade or destroy our shelter.

The person of Jesus is the quiet resting place of his people. When we draw near to him—whether in the breaking of bread, in hearing the Word preached, in searching the Scriptures, in prayer, or in praise—we find that any form of approach to him brings peace flooding back to our spirits.

"I hear the words of love, I gaze upon the blood, I see the mighty sacrifice, and I have peace with God. 'Tis everlasting peace, sure as Jehovah's name, 'Tis stable as his steadfast throne, forevermore the same. The clouds may go and come, and storms may sweep my sky—this blood-sealed friendship changes not, the cross is ever nigh."