GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIXIssue 32
Published occasionally for Zion's mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

WAR AND PEACE

I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 120:7

The more that we read through the Psalms, the more convinced we become that they are, for the most part, a compendium of the prayers and exclamations of the heart of the LORD JESUS CHRIST as HE walked among men in the likeness of sinful flesh. As we peruse them, we are reminded of this passage from Hebrews which begins and ends with a direct quotation of Psalm 110:4. “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb 5:6-10)

The LORD JESUS took on HIMSELF the likeness of sinful flesh “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” (Php 2:7-9) Though HE was under no obligation to do so, HE willingly submitted HIMSELF to be like HIS brethren which HE loved from the beginning. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Heb 2:16-18) The depths and extent of HIS subjection is clearly manifested as HE came not simply as our HIGH PRIEST but as our EXAMPLE as well. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb 4:15) “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” (1Pet 2:21-23)

Thus, we find the evidence of HIS longing as an obedient SON throughout the Psalms. HIS desire to walk in the LIGHT of the LORD, to hide HIS word in HIS heart, to be found faithful and unashamed in the presence of those who sought HIS destruction. HE alone as a perfect SON could express a perfect desire and yearning for the courts of the LORD. HE is the only ONE who could possibly be described in Psalm 24:3-5; “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” None of the sons of Adam could ever fit this description. CHRIST alone is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD who has LIFE in HIMSELF.

HE does give eternal life to as many as the LORD has given HIM. “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17:2) “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1John 5:11-12) Religious men will do everything in their power to make the sonship of the children of GOD to be dependent upon their action and free will. They will describe the obedience of the sons of GOD as that which brings about HIS blessing, rather than recognizing that it is HIS blessing which brings about their obedience. The LIFE of CHRIST in the sons of GOD is that which binds their hearts unto HIM and is that which causes them to long for those things which HE desired when HE walked among men and was heard in that HE feared. HE does ever work in HIS children both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.

If any man would see a picture of a “PERFECT MAN”, let him read the Psalms in the light of seeing CHRIST pray with effectual and fervent prayer and hearing HIM extol the GOD of HEAVEN and Earth with joyous praise which has no bounds. “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” (Psa 48:1) “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.” (Psa 104:1-5) “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psa 24:7-10)

We read of HIM who is “mighty in battle” as HE has triumphed over all of HIS foes, taking captivity captive and giving gifts unto men. HE has trod the winepress of GOD’s wrath alone and there was none with HIM. Yet HIS own ARM brought salvation to HIM as HE trampled HIS enemies in HIS fury and made HIS garments red with HIS own blood and those HE has slain.

Yet HE has come as a MAN of Peace, and sowed the seeds of peace wherever HE went. HE spoke words of peace even as that ONE who will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. HE called to sinners, those who had no strength, and those who see themselves laboring for an empty treasure. HE announced HIMSELF as the LIGHT of the world, the SHEPHERD of the sheep, and that one who came to seek and to save that which was lost.

HE came unto HIS own (i.e., that natural nation of Israel into which HE was born) and yet they received HIM not. HE spoke words of peace unto them, but they determined to pursue war, even as HE testifies in Psalm 120:7. They reviled HIM, spat upon HIM, and beat HIM unmercifully, yet HE raised no accusation against them and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so HE opened not HIS mouth. HE spoke unto them the words of LIFE and demonstrated the power of GOD in their midst, raising the dead to life, giving sight to the blind, and feeding the multitudes, and yet they manifested the natural and unreasonable hatred of all men towards GOD and would not hear HIM. HE spoke to them of the mercy of GOD towards the Gentiles and they hated HIM for it and would have cast HIM off a cliff, had HE not walked through the midst of them. At any time, HE could have destroyed them all. HE was for peace, but they were for war.

The LORD of Glory who tabernacled among men is a MAN of WAR, “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” (Exo 15:3) HE has manifested HIMSELF in that fashion many times over as HE has put the enemies of HIS people to flight. Yet HE demonstrated the nature of HIS Kingdom in quite a different fashion, when HE rode into Jerusalem, meekly on a colt, the foal of an ass. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17) HE came with a message of Peace and declared HIS intention of giving Peace unto those who are HIS, who believe in HIS NAME according to the gift of faith bestowed by HIS SPIRIT. Even those for whom HE has shed HIS blood and does call according to HIS purpose, if left to themselves would each one raise themselves against HIM and desire war rather than peace. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.” (Col 1:21) HE does conquer the hearts of HIS people through HIS words of peace declared in the gospel and they gladly throw down their instruments of war and worship at HIS footstool. Have you been reconciled unto this KING of PEACE?
mam