"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A just weight and balance are the Lord's; all the weights of the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. The wrath of the king is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as the cloud of the latter rain."
Two things are necessary to be noticed in regard to the language of the first of these verses, in order to our arriving at the true interpretation of it, and the principle of harmony between it and other parts of Scripture:-
1. The word here translated "purged," is the same with that so rendered in other places, and is the word which strictly and properly signifies expiation or atonement: and-
2. Mercy and truth, being here put generally, may mean mercy and truth either as exercised on the part of God or as practised by men.
Now, as we have already said, there is not a sentiment more directly in the face of the entire tenor of the word of God, than the sentiment, that the practice of "mercy and truth," on the part of men, can operate as an atonement or expiation for the guilt of their sins. It is a very favourite sentiment; but one which no man can hold, and, with any consistency, profess to believe the Bible. I do not deny, that the abandonment of unrighteousness and oppression, and the adoption of the principles and the practice of truth, justice, and mercy, may be a means of averting temporal calamities-suspending the execution of them for a time, or even removing them altogether;-as when Daniel said to king Nebuchadnezzar, "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thy iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity," Dan_4:27. And were it not for the use of the proper word for expiation, and the general unqualified form in which the statement in this verse is made, such an interpretation might have been admissible. We might have restricted the application of the words to the manner in which the God of mercy and truth-the God who himself "delighteth in mercy," and who "requireth truth in the inward parts"-manifests his regard to the practice of these virtues by his creatures. There is a scriptural sense too, in which mercy and truth, and the kindred graces, impart confidence towards God:-but it is only as evidential of interest in the salvation by grace which the divine word reveals; it is neither as meritorious, nor as expiatory. It is obviously in this way that we are to interpret the language of James, "He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment," Jam_2:13. The best commentary on "mercy rejoicing against judgment"-that is, imparting peace, security, and joy to the soul before God the Judge-is the Saviour's own description of the solemn transactions of the judgment-day.* The works of mercy He describes, as done to "his brethren" for his sake, were done from love to him, and consequently from faith in him. They are thus graciously stamped with his approval, and, as evidence of those who did them being his, are interposed between them and condemnation. But in this there is nothing of expiation or atonement.
* Mat_25:34-36; Mat_25:40.
The purging away, or expiation of sin, is invariably, in the Scriptures, put upon a different ground. There is but One Expiation-typified by all the ancient sacrifices, and offered up, in the fulness of time, on Calvary. To suppose the faithfulness and kindness of one man to another to expiate guilt, is to set aside the entire scheme of the divine Saviour's mediation.
I regard "mercy and truth" here as having reference to God,-to the exercise and manifestation of these perfections of his character, in the scheme of human redemption. This view is strongly supported by such passages as these. "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage; he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old." "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."*
* Psa_85:10; Mic_7:18-20; Joh_1:17.
I cannot but consider the entire verse, when the two parts of it are taken together, as briefly expressing what God has done for the salvation of man-for expiating his guilt and restoring him to favour; and the character, in principle and practice, which arises out of an interest by faith in this atonement and salvation. By "mercy and truth," on the part of God, men's sins are expiated and forgiven;-and, in consequence, "by the fear of the Lord," springing from the faith that introduces to this forgiveness, "men depart from evil." Thus, in the language of the Psalmist-"There is forgiveness with God, that he may be feared." And when by the faith of the atonement sinners are brought to the fear of God, they "walk in newness of life."
Then we have, in the next adage, one of the many happy effects which result to those who so walk:-"When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."*
* Comp. Job_5:23.
Not that a good man shall never have any enemies. The contrary, alas! we see and know; and the contrary the word of God, both by the views it gives us of human nature, and by many express declarations, teaches us to expect. Indeed, the very verse itself implies the contrary. Enemies are expressly supposed to exist. And it is of these enemies that it is here said, God "maketh them to be at peace with him." The meaning evidently is, that often when the fears of God's people are excited in regard to those enemies,-when they are trembling for the consequences of their hostility, thinking all over with them-the wrath is averted-the enemy's power broken, or his feelings changed, and rendered, for the time at least, friendly. Thus it was in the case of Jacob with Esau; and, in different instances in that of Saul with David. And thus it was in the case of another Saul, in New Testament days, who, from "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," and "being exceedingly mad against them," became one of the warmest, and most devoted friends of Christ and his cause. God gave promise by Jeremiah to his ancient people-"Verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction," Jer_15:11. The divine Saviour also makes a similar promise, by the Apostle John, to one of his churches, and thus, in like circumstances, to them all.* It has been briefly and tersely said-"The best way to have enemies reconciled to us, is for us to be reconciled to God." When we are thus reconciled, even when enemies are permitted to rise up against us, and " such as breathe out cruelty," yet may we say with confidence, "If God be for us, who can be against us?"-and to our brethren so situated, "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"
* Rev_3:9.
There may be in the language more especial reference to those parts of the good man's conduct which have raised up enemies against him, springing from his resolute adherence to what God commands and conscience approves, in spite of all remonstrance, threatening, persuasion, and even tears; and in the full knowledge of the painful result, that those whom he would fain number still amongst his friends must be rendered hostile, and assume the attitude of alienation and resentment. When a child of God acts thus decidedly, and makes himself enemies from "conscience toward God," by following out the principle-"We must obey God rather than men;"-that God whom he obeys, and for whom he suffers, will stand by him. He will disappoint his fears, (how often has He done it!) and make the very admiration of his firm yet mild and dignified consistency to work, through conscience, on the hearts of his foes, and convert them into his friends-sometimes his warmest and most valuable friends: and not only into his friends, but through his instrumentality, and through the very consistency which at first provoked them, into friends of God.-All this has not unfrequently happened in regard to the godly man's ungodly relatives. An instance of it occurred in my reading the other day. The Rev. Edwin Sidney, in his Memoir of the Rev. Rowland Hill, gives the following incident. "At the close of his life, he was walking on the terrace at Hawkstone" (the residence of one of his brothers) "when he remarked to a lady who was with him, and who had witnessed the affectionate attentions which were paid him by Sir John Hill and his family,-'You have seen how I am now received here; but in my youth I have often paced this spot, bitterly weeping, while by most of the inhabitants of yonder house I was considered as a disgrace to my family. But,' he added, whilst the tears ran down his cheeks-'it was for the cause of God.'" And this instance is only one of thousands.-Even in cases where affection has not been won, the Lord has many a time, by providential incidents and by secret influences, direct or indirect, upon the mind, kept His servants in peace, preventing the wrath from breaking out-laying an unseen and unaccountable restraint upon it, and giving peace even in the midst of cherished and strong enmity. Daniel has been in peace, in the lions' den. God has "shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt him." When He has sent forth his servants on his embassies, "as sheep among wolves," the savage passions of their infuriated opponents have been restrained, and have even been, by divine grace, tamed into gentleness, so that the "wolf has dwelt with the lamb, and the leopard lain down with the kid."
Yes, my friends; and, without going far astray from the spirit of the words, I may add, that there is one enemy-the most dreaded of all by guilty nature-whom God "makes to be at peace" with "those whose ways please Him;"-Death, "the last enemy-the king of terrors." The believer fears him not. He hails him as a friend. To him the spectral form of the monarch of the grave brings no alarm. He comes "a messenger of peace, to call his soul to heaven."
And "when a man's ways please the Lord," it matters not what may be his situation in life. "There is no respect of persons with God." With the man who is "humble and of a contrite heart, and trembleth at his word," He delights to "dwell," whether in the palace or in the cottage;-and from the palace He retires, when it is the abode of sin, to take up his abode in the cottage "wherein dwelleth righteousness."
Thus it follows-verse Pro_16:8. "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."
Taking the words in their general acceptation, without entering into the shades of difference between the term used for righteousness, and that for right-we may remark, that the "little with righteousness" is better than the "great revenues without right" in many respects.-1. They who have the "little with righteousness"-righteousness in the acquisition and righteousness in the use, have it with a good conscience; which they whose abundance is without right can never enjoy. -2. It produces less distraction and temptation to worldliness and forgetfulness of God,-the great curse of wealth; and exerts less of an absorbing influence on the affections and desires.-3. It is received as a blessing from a Father's hand, and is enjoyed with a blessing from a Father's heart; whereas "revenues without right" can neither be regarded as divinely bestowed nor as divinely blessed.-4. The "little with righteousness" meets the wants and the bounded desires of its possessor. Righteous before God, and cherishing towards God the spirit of confidence which He requires, he has "learned, in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content"-which is the great secret of true enjoyment, and which all the revenues of earth without the grace of God must fail to impart.-5. He who has "little with righteousness," uses the little better; whereas he who gets without principle cannot be expected to put much principle into his spending. And for the encouragement of the poorest it is written, in regard to the employment of earthly means, "It is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not."-6. He who has little has no fears disturbing him of change for the worse; and having his little with right,-and as one under the power of principles which God approves, the principles of true religion,-he has the prospect before him, beyond all the privations and trials of his present poor and pinching condition,-of something infinitely better and more lasting than all the revenues, with right or without it, that this world can ever furnish to its most devoted worshippers-the blessed prospect of "the inheritance of the saints in light;" where, having on earth "received his evil things," he shall be eternally "filled with all the fulness of God!"
Verse Pro_16:9. "A man's heart," that is his mind, his inward powers of reflection, anticipation, skill, prudence, "deviseth his way"-a term implying the application of all possible consideration, invention, and precaution-but "the Lord directeth his steps." The words express and expose the folly and presumption, on man's part, of self-confidence-of his thus assuring himself of success, as if he had the future under his eye and at his bidding; regardless of that hidden but everpresent, ever-busy superintending Power, that has all under complete command; that can at once arrest his progress in the very midst and at the very height of his boasting, and "turn to foolishness" all his devices. The sacred Oracles are full of the sentiment and of the most striking exemplifications of its truth.* And what is the sentiment of revelation cannot fail to command the concurrence of enlightened reason. It must be so. If there is a God at all it cannot be otherwise. It were the height of irrationality as well as impiety for a moment to question it-to imagine the contrary possible. How otherwise could God govern the world? Were not all human schemes under supreme and irresistible control,-what would become of the certainty of the divine? All must of necessity fulfil the plans of Infinite Wisdom in the administration of God's universal government. God "will work, and who shall let it?"
* See Pro_6:21; Pro_20:24; Pro_21:30.
Verse Pro_16:10. "A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment."
Solomon being himself a king, it is no matter of surprise that he should occasionally touch on the duties of royalty. His object here is to set forth what kings ought to be, and what good kings always are. Such is the character of human government, as ordained of God-a divine institute for the well-being of men.
The terms of this verse might be considered as having in them a truth specially applicable to the kings of Israel and Judah. They reigned under a theocracy. Jehovah himself had given laws to his chosen people. It was the duty of the kings to have these laws before them, and to govern in all things according to them. Anticipating the exercise of the kingly authority, God had expressly given command to this effect by Moses.* A sentence, therefore, which was according to this law, was, in the strictest sense, "a divine sentence." It was of God's express dictation. But the words may be understood of kings more generally.
* Deu_17:18-20.
"A divine sentence" may be understood either as to its character, or as to its authoritative effect. If taken in the former sense, it means a sentence according to perfect equity-in harmony with the character of Him of whom it is said-"He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth, and without iniquity; just and right is He." If in the latter sense, the idea is, that as every judgment or "sentence" of God is decisive and effectual, so that the execution of it cannot be evaded or resisted, such, in measure, is the case with the sentences of kings among men: and in the general idea of a divine sentence may fairly be included both character and efficiency-both equity and power. When understood of equity, the latter part of the verse, according to the principle of Hebrew parallelisms, will be a kind of counterpart or echo to the former-"A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth transgresseth not in judgment." When understood of power, the verse might be rendered-"A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: let not his mouth trangress in judgment:"-in proportion to the authoritative and efficacious nature of his sentence, ought he to see to it that the sentence be right:-he should weigh well his decision ere he pronounces it, seeing it involves consequences so certain, immediate, and important. And the principle of this lesson applies to all in situations of authority and influence, whether more private or more public. As does also the lesson of equity from the character of God, as a just God-" the righteous Lord who loveth righteousness."
The principle is, in the spirit of it, repeated in next verse-"A just weight and balance are the Lord's; all the weights of the bag are his work."
The laws of Moses were adverted to in our comment on this subject on a former occasion. (Pro_11:1.) They are most pointed and strict, and heavy the denunciations against the violators of them. The Jews are said to have kept their standard weights and measures in the sanctuary. The fact might arise from the particularity of the law; and might operate as a remembrancer of the righteousness of Him by whom the law was given and the weights and measures fixed. And it furnishes, at the same time, an interesting commentary on the words in this verse. They are " the Lord’s"-they are " his work." All adulteration of them was a kind of sacrilege. It was not cheating men merely, but defrauding Jehovah, changing what He had fixed. The general idea is, that the weights and measures should be held sacred, like all else that belongs to God, so that encroachment upon them should be considered as profanation, which God himself would avenge. And, from the connexion in which the words are here introduced, they lead us to observe, that while kings are called upon to "do justly" themselves in their whole administration, and in every department of it, it is, at the same time, a most important part of their official duty to promote among their subjects, to the utmost extent of their power, the principles and the practice of equity between man and man. The prevalence, indeed, of mutual confidence is indispensable to the comfort and prosperity of society, nay to the very existence of a community that, to any extent, depends on trade and commerce. Destroy such confidence, and all the intercourse of business is at once annihilated-cut up by the very roots.
Verse Pro_6:12. "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness." This verse is susceptible of various interpretations, as-1. "For kings to commit wickedness is abomination; for the throne is established by righteousness." This view presents a sentiment to which none can possibly refuse their assent; For any man to "commit wickedness" is an abomination-an abomination to God and to all holy creatures, and it is peculiarly so for those who hold stations of authority and influence. It is theirs to give the tone to public morals and manners. This invests them with a special responsibility.
2. The verse may be read-"Let it be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness:" that is, kings ought to hold wickedness in abhorrence in their own conduct; and that, whether personal or official. A distinction is at times made between the man and his office; or between the man personally and the man officially;-which, if pushed far, may be very prejudicial. It goes to this-that a man may be a very good magistrate, though he is a very bad man; that private character has little or no connexion with the discharge of public functions. This is surely a pernicious mistake. The two should, as far as possible, be in union. The best security for upright and correct official conduct is uprightness of private character. There never can be full confidence in a government, of which the conductors, supreme and subordinate, are, in their private deportment, destitute of principle. Principle in the personal character will alone resist temptation to malversation in public office. We have no certain hold of a man otherwise.
3. The third view is probably the right one-that "wickedness" in general "is an abomination to kings;" that is, ought to be, and in regard to every good king will be-"for the throne is established by righteousness." That such is the true meaning is likely from the verse that follows, which presents an evident contrast to this. A virtuous, flourishing, comfortable, and happy population will scare away from the throne all apprehensions of seditious and revolutionary movements. Such a people will wish for no change; and against any enemy that would introduce change will defend with their heart's blood the government under which they enjoy such prosperity. On the contrary, the extensive prevalence of opposite principles,-very often the result of misgovernment, will prevent prosperity, will produce poverty and discomfort, will cherish discontent, will foment insubordination, and excite wishes for change, and render the country a mass of combustible materials which requires but the striking of a spark to ensure a universal explosion. Then the throne is in incessant insecurity. It stands amongst gunpowder. It is surrounded with terrors. Its occupant can be in peace only from ignorance. Let it be laid down as a settled maxim, that the best security of "the throne" is in the virtue of its subjects; that the diffusion of knowledge and of religious and moral principle, is the best means of ensuring the loyal peaceable, happy submission of the people. Equal laws, equal rights, equal privileges, equal favour to all in their respective departments of occupation, a fair field for every one, and no partiality in either immunities or restrictions, in trade, in science, or in religion,-will do much to produce this desirable condition of things. And "the righteousness which exalteth the nation" will place its throne on a firm basis, and surround it with the truest glory.*
* See Pro_14:34.
Verse Pro_16:13. "Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right." Ah! would that this could be truly predicated as matter of universal fact! Well had it been, and well would it be, both for princes and for people! But history tells another tale; and we must again regard the words as the statement of what ought to be, rather than of what is,-of the character, not of all kings, but of the truly good king.-The flatteries, the wiles, the falsehoods, the treacherous smiles and selfish heartlessness of courtiership, have been proverbial from the beginning. It has been in every age a complaint, and one alas! too well founded, that princes do not hear truth,-that, from fear or from favour, it does not reach their ears. There have been, and there are, honourable exceptions; but a courtier has long been a term almost synonymous with a man versed in all the arts of simulation and chicane.-Of how many princes, in ancient or more modern times, has this been (though, perchance, a present gratification to them) the ultimate wretchedness and ruin! Falsehood and flattery are often for the time more palatable than faithfulness and truth. When the lying lips of the parasite pour into the open ear of royalty the false and delusive maxim that the people are made for the prince, not the prince for the people; when they place the ruler above the law, and pronounce the ruler's pleasure the criterion of the ruler's duty, and his will what should bind all, and be itself unbound:-when a profligate minister recommends measures according to what he knows to be the caprice of his royal master, or his unhappily obstinate prejudices, rather than according to what he knows just and liberal views of the public good to require;-the deceived prince becomes the dupe of treachery; and his throne may be tottering to its base when he is fancying it most secure. Happy is it for the prince who feels and acts as this verse describes; who desires honest and faithful counsel; who prefers unpalatable truth to palatable falsehood; who rejects with dignity and scorn the advisers whom he detects putting a bandage over his eyes, and who places those proportionally near to him and in the light of his favour, who assist him to see clearly things as they actually are, and suggest, with the fidelity of conscientious conviction, the measures that will make things as they ought to be!-The best commentary on the verse before us, as descriptive of the character of a good king, may be found in the resolutions of the father of Solomon-Psa_101:1-8.
Verses Pro_16:14-15. "The wrath of the king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain."-These verses contain a striking contrast between the effects of royal displeasure, and of royal favour. The sentiment of the former verse was strikingly true then of the capricious fury of Eastern despots; and in all arbitrary governments it is so still. Human nature remains the same; and hence the tendencies of absolute power remain the same. It has been truly said, that absolute power is safe in no hands but those of God. Many a time have those Eastern despots, whose will was law, and their frown death to their trembling vassals, when any one had done them a displeasure, given "the messengers of death" their secret and summary commission,-consigning the victim of their resentment, without trial and without warning, to the dungeon, and giving him his choice of the bowl or the bowstring.-On the contrary, "in the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain." "Life" here, as in other places, means prosperity and joy-happy life. And "a cloud of the latter rain" may be regarded as the emblem at once of pleasure and of benefit. The shower which it pours down to water the earth is at once refreshing and fructifying. Thus to Haman the wrath of Ahasuerus was as "messengers of death," while to Mordecai his favour was "as a cloud of the latter rain." Thus to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the wrath of the incensed Nebuchadnezzar was the "messenger of death;" but when their God had preserved them in the sevenfold heated furnace, and turned the wrath of the king into astonishment and repentance, his favour returned to them like "the cloud of latter rain." Thus to the enemies of Daniel was the wrath of Darius; and thus to Daniel himself was his favour.
The prudence of every "wise man" will seek to avert "the wrath" and to secure "the favour" of one who has so much in his power,-not, if he be a man of principle as well as prudence, in any way inconsistent with honour and integrity,-but by all means which do not compromise these; as by every becoming, though by no undignified and sycophantish, concession.*1 Of such wisdom-the wisdom of "the children of this world," we have an example in the conduct of the men of Tyre and Sidon to the ambitious and vindictive Herod.*2 Theirs was carnal policy,-the unprincipled prudence of selfishness, escaping evil to itself by fulsome, impious, and as it proved, destructive adulation to the aspiring pride of another. Let us be thankful that we live in a land of liberty, where the law is above the royal will,-where, without the law, "the wrath of the king" is impotent; where, (and, though in some respects it may be questionable, yet is it a beautiful provision of the Constitution) though the supreme power has the privilege of remitting a sentence of death by showing mercy, there is no right of reversing at will a sentence of acquittal, and consigning to death when the law has awarded life. It is the characteristic prerogative of the ruler of a free country-of a law-controlled prince in opposition to a prince-controlled law.
*1 Comp. Ecc_10:4. rr
*2 See Act_12:20-24.
Suffer a few closing reflections.-
1. What was said, in the course of exposition, on the importance of deliberation in giving judgment, may be said in regard to the publication of opinions. No man should form his sentiments hastily; and far less should he hastily enunciate them; especially when he has reason to know that his opinion will go far with any considerable portion of the community. He should, in that case, be solicitous that every sentence to which he gives utterance on any subject should be a "divine sentence"-one in harmony with the mind of God. Men are at times tempted, by the very circumstance of their having got the public ear, to give forth their opinions more crudely, pluming themselves on their intuitive quickness, and trusting to their oracular authority. But conduct the very reverse should be the result of the confidence placed in their judgment; the greater should be the anxiety not to do harm by presuming on that confidence,-but to be all the surer of their ground.
2. He is the truest patriot, the best friend of his country, who contributes most to the extension of the knowledge, the virtue, and the religion of the people. That man more effectually advances its true interests, its solid greatness, its prosperity, its happiness, and the safety and stability of its government, than he who augments its resources of wealth and power and territory, and means of hostile aggression. The best educated, and the most moral people; and above all, the people among whom there is the most extensive prevalence of the principles of true religion, will invariably be, as they are the best, the happiest people, and the throne of such a nation the most secure and well-established. The surest way to provide for the political and commercial prosperity of BRITAIN is to seek the advancement in her of knowledge, religion, and sound morality,-in the train of which all else that is good will securely follow. And this implies, that we use such influence as we have, in a legitimate form, to avert such measures as might tend to the deterioration of the country, directly or indirectly, in her most important interests,-by multiplying temptations to crime, and, through the abridgment of the resources for obtaining education to the rising generation, ensuring ignorance, with all its wretched results, as the future character of the community.
Finally, whatever, in the form of good, is true of the best princes on earth, is all true, without the slightest alloy or drawback, of the King of Zion. His abhorrence of evil is infinite. The authority and the certain efficacy of His word are absolute. Every sentence of His is truly "a divine sentence" worthy of being executed, and as sure as it is worthy. Fearful and fatal are the effects of His displeasure, and the excellence of His favour is above all price. O! if you would deprecate the anger, and desire the favour of a fellow-creature who had it even in his power to kill the body, or to ruin your interests for time; how can you think of living for another day, another hour, another moment, under the frown of God, and in a state of exposure to His wrath? Truly may it be said of this wrath, "a wise man will pacify it." But there is no way which human wisdom could ever have devised to "pacify it." It can be pacified towards you-not by any means of your own devising, but only by your acquiescing in that which God has devised. The Lord Jesus Christ is your peace. In Him Jehovah is well pleased. In Him he waits to be gracious. He has no pleasure in sending against you the messengers of death, but rather delights in waiting over your souls as a cloud of the latter rain, ready to discharge its shower of blessing!
