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I. THERE IS SUCH A PEACE. God's people ordinarily possess it. Hence, David asks, "Why art thou cast down?" etc. It was not usual for him to be thus disquieted. For —

1. The Father is engaged to give peace unto them.

2. The Son also.

3. The Holy Ghost likewise. For this is He sent as the Comforter. And He is this both in heaven above and in our own bosoms (1 John 1:2; John 14:16).

II. BUT EXPERIENCE SEEMS TO CONTRADICT all this, for many of God's people have not peace, but disquietude. But, remember, general rules have always some exceptions, and in this matter note —

1. There is a fundamental peace which God's people have, and there is an additional peace: the first arises from their justification, the second from their sense of it.

2. And there is a great difference between peace, comfort and joy. A man may have peace that hath no comfort, and comfort but no joy. One is beyond the other.

3. There is a peace which lies in opposition to what one hath been, and a peace that is in opposition to what one would be. I may be grateful that I am not that sinner I was, but I may be disquieted that I yet am not what I would be.

4. There may be a secret, dormant peace, where there is not an awakened and apparent peace. This latter may be a while absent, but the former is not.

III. CONCLUSION.

1. Then behold what a blessed condition God's saints are in. This truth appeals to the ungodly. It did so once to a great man in Germany, that it was the beginning of his conversion. lie was a papist, a profane person; and coming occasionally to hear Peter Martyr preach, he heard him say, "When ye see men at a distance skipping, leaping and dancing, ye think the men are mad; but when ye draw near to them, hear what music they have, then ye do not wonder; but ye rather wonder at yourselves that ye should wonder at them. So, when you look upon the godly at a distance, and see them running after ordinances, and frequenting the means and rejoicing in the ways of God, you think, and ye say, they are mad; but if you draw near to a godly course, and perceive what music these people have within, you say not they are mad, but you rather wonder at yourselves, that you should wonder at them." This saying struck the nobleman and led him to look to his condition and to turn to God. Yes, the saints have music within, peace and quiet within, as a rule, though here and there there may be exceptions.

2. But some are in doubt whether their peace be counterfeit. There is such a false peace (Deuteronomy 24:19).

3. But there is a true peace given of the Holy Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace," etc. And thus it may be known.

4. But one says, "I never had this blessed peace and have it not now. What am I to do?" Meditate much upon the fulness of satisfaction made by the death of Christ. Then go to Christ Himself, seeking peace not merely for the comfort of it, but as a help to your grace: and take His promise along with you.

(W. Bridge, M. A.)

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KJV: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

WEB: Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.