Ezra 5:17

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED Jesus! do I not behold thee even in this chapter, when I perceive thy servants stirring up the minds of thy people to thy cause. Surely thou art the Lord God of the prophets, and when thou didst influence the several characters in thy church, both ministers and people, was it not a plain manifestation that thou wast speaking in them and by them in procuring peace to the prosecution the work of thy temple. Indeed, from everlasting thou, and thou alone, art the peace, and the peace maker, in all cases, and upon all occasions. Thou hast made our peace with God by thy blood. Thou hast made our peace with ourselves, and with our own consciences. All nature, and all things, by the fall were at enmity with man; and all the inferior orders instantly arose in rebellion against him, because he had rebelled against God. But when Jesus came he restored all things: To God his glory - to man his peace - to all creation order and regularity. And as thou hast purchased our peace by thy blood; so by thy continual advocacy thou livest to render it effectual. And now in thy blessed gospel thou comest to preach peace to them that are afar off, and to them that are nigh. Hail! glorious, almighty, blessed Prince of peace! Lord, in thy peace make me to go on in defiance of the opposition of hell and the world, in building thine house; and being myself built up in my most holy faith. And let devils assault, or the enemies of God and of his Christ fail; yet, Lord, speak but thy peace to my soul, and all shall be well. Say unto me as thou didst to thy disciples; Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but in me ye shall have peace.