Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-08-13

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KEPT IN PERFECT PEACE.
By S. T. Willis, LID.

By S. T. Willis, LID.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on Thee, because
he trusteth in Thee.-Isaiah 26: 3.
1t is to be noted that man does not
keep himself in peace, for in the sense
of this grace that would, in fact, be
impossible But it is gift. Jesus
said, "My peace I give unto you; not
as the world giveth give I unto you.
It is also to be noted that 1t is
perfect peace, for, indeed, Gods peace
could be nothing less, and it passes
all human understanding. Like the
gracious God by whom 1t is impaired,
1t is incomprehensible even to him
who experiences it. 1t is perfect in
it's nature and perfect in its work, i'm
parting a divine calmness and serenity
of soul and a sweet. heavenly rest that
the world can never give nor take
away.
This peace does not occupy the
world of material things; its realm is
In the hearts and minds of men. He
is kept in perfect peace whose mind
is stayed on God. The world promises
only tribulations, prosecutions and at
fiictions, disappointments, heartaches
and death It's sweetest smiles are de-
lusive, it's trusted friendships bring
danger, and it's brightest hopes are
fraught with evil. But God does not
leave alone and unaided the soul that
is stayed on Him. He is an ever pres
ent help in the time of trouble. He
gives and sustains such peace of mind
and composure of soul in the thickest
of the fight that one can say: THE
Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear? The Lord is the
strength of my life of whom shall I
be afraid" For greater is He who
abides in the trusting heart than all
the combined forces of the world, the
flesh and the devil The soul kept in
perfect peace can say when 1t comes
to the valley of shadows, II fear no
evil, for Thou art with me-"
And what is the secret Of this
sweet peace, the gift of Gods love? It
IL all summed up in one word-trust-
because he trusteth in God; faith
that takes Him at His word. It is
that condition of mind that lays hold
on God and yields all unto Him in
perfect confidence. This giving up of
all to God and the staying of the
mind on God means three things
prayer, obedience and happiness. This
giving up Of all to God and the stay
ing Of the mind on God means three
things-prayer, obedience and happi-
ness There is no hour so free from
care or so exempt from temptations
and Ills that will not be frightened
and sweetened If we direct our
thought in faith to God, looking
through what may seem to be a
browning Providence" to the "smil-
ing face" of divine love and mercy
beyond Listen to this infallible and
all comprehensive prescription for
human happiness: I'm nothing be
anxious; but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to
God And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus" Here is prayer, including sup
plication and thanksgiving. The hand
of faith stretched out in earnest pray
er relieves the heart from worry and
anxious care and brings sweet peace
and contentment-that calm, trustful,
responseful prayer that believes in
Gods love and that lays the soul down
upon His bosom, that in Him 1t may
find rest.
It goes one step further in faith,
rendering unquestioning obedience.
God is yearning to bestow this grace
in lavish abundance. Hear Him: "Oh,
that thou hadst hearkened unto my
commandments Then had thy peace
been as river, and thy righteousness
as the waves of the sea-" Peace as a
river-that Is, abundant, free, full, liv-
ing and never failing. 1t includes all
other divine gifts. and the mind that
is SO stayed on God. through trust in
Him, is kept in security and happi-
ness. for deep down in the soul, far
| bevond any disturbance from any
earthly enmity or i'll, there flows from
the throne of God, an eternal and glad
dening river of peace.