Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace? 2 Kings ix. 22.

WE all want peace. Of every telegraph messenger, as he puts the buff-coloured envelope into our hands, we ask almost instinctively, Is it peace? If there is a rumour of war, a depression in trade, a bad harvest, a sudden calamity in our neighbourhood, we instantly consider the effect it may have on the tranquillity and prosperity of our life.

By peace we too often mean the absence of the disagreeable, the unbroken routine of outward prosperity, the serene passage of the years: not always eager for anything deeper. And if other and profounder questions intrude themselves, we instantly stifle or evade them. Like Herod, we shut up the Baptist in the dungeon. Like the Roman general, we make a desert and call it peace. Men will flee from a Gospel ministry which pursues them into close quarters, and arouses unwelcome questions that break the peace.

There cannot be true peace so long as we permit the infidelities and charms of some Jezebel of the soul-life to attract and affect us. Jezebel may stand for the painted world, with its wiles and snares, or for the flesh, or for some unholy association of the past life, like that which clung to Augustine. But there must be no quarter given to the unhallowed rival of our Lord. Whatever its charms, it must be flung out of the window before we can be at peace.

"Then, and not till then, we shall see Thee as Thou art;

Then, and not till then, in thy glory bear a part;

Then, and not till then, Thou wilt satisfy each heart."

If you are entirely surrendered to the Lord, "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."