June 16

Read: Philippians 4:4-7

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Isaiah 26:3).

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Peace

Peace of mind has its roots in peace with God. The peace of the Christian is not the placid life of the slothful who never tackles a hard job. Nor is the peace which is the fruit of the Spirit the undisturbed tempo of a life upon which fortune smiles and everything seems to turn out just right. Our peace is not due to indifference or lack of problems; it is peace in the midst of pressures. It is a calm spirit even when we ride in a storm-tossed vessel. Paul gives us the secret: “Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God” (Acts 27:25).

As I pray and affirm my faith in God, I find that my worries no longer worry me. The wonder of God’s promise becomes real: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

In Helps to Holiness, Samuel Logan Brengle testifies: “The Lord has been allowing me to pass through a series of the most troublesome little times, just calculated to annoy me to the uttermost. But while waiting on Him in prayer, He showed me that if I had more confidence in Him in my difficulties, I would keep on rejoicing… and so I proved it to be. Bless His holy name! I did rejoice, and one trial after another vanished away. Only the sweetness of my Lord’s presence and blessing remained, and my heart has been kept in perfect peace since.”

Peace, perfect peace! Love, perfect love! Sweeping o’er my soul in heav’nly tides! Rest, perfect rest! Joy, perfect joy! Is mine since the Holy Ghost abides.

— F. E. Hill