are we to understand by it? Surely it is a hint to us that only in
His Lordship, acknowledged and experienced by us, can we find peace. In
very significant words we read in the prophet of "His government and
peace." First government and then peace, since peace is only possible as a
result of government. In like manner we read in the psalm of
"righteousness and peace," for it is only as He is "the Lord our
righteousness" that He becomes the Lord our peace. When the government is
upon His shoulder, and He is the Lord of our life, the inevitable and
blessed result is "peace, perfect peace."

The continuity of this peace is very noteworthy--"Give you peace
_always_." It is a constant peace. It is independent of circumstances, and
does not change with changing experiences, since it is independent of our
variableness, and depends entirely upon the Lord of peace and His Divine
gift. Peace is associated with our permanent relationship to God in
Christ, and a relationship of this kind is unalterable by any experiences
or circumstances. The Lord gives peace always.

The channels of this peace are also significant--"Peace always _by all
means_." "In every manner," by all conceivable channels and methods this
peace comes. No circumstance or condition of life can be ours which does
not give some opportunity for the bestowal, experience, and enjoyment of
peace. Not only does peace come "always," but "all ways."

Love, Patience, Peace--how beautiful and suggestive the combination and
association! Patience is the fruit of love, and peace is the fruit of
patience. When the soul is dwelling in the love of God patience and peace
flow naturally into the life, and are as naturally exemplified in it. And
so the heart rejoices in the love, reproduces the patience, and reposes in
the peace of the Lord of peace, because it is ever at rest in the presence
and grace of "the God of love and peace."

V.

KNOWLEDGE AND OBEDIENCE.

V.

KNOWLEDGE AND OBEDIENCE.

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every
good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with
all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and
long-suffering with joyfulness; giving t