PEACE with God is the beginning of all Christian peace.

Mount Etna casts a shadow every morning over all the fair and beautiful island of Sicily. The people, as they go on with their work or their pleasure, do not allow themselves to think of the shadow or to speak of it. It seems ominous of doom as it moves silently over their gardens and homes. The shadow reminds them that within the terrible mountain slumber the fires which any hour may pour ruin over every lovely scene. It is a more ominous shadow than that of Etna, which lies over this world—the curse of sin.

No one can be at peace until he is reconciled to God. But when we believe on Jesus Christ we are safe from condemnation, and have peace with God. Then all good things follow. We are God’s friends and He is our Friend. We are at home now with Him. His power is our refuge, a shelter for our feebleness amid all life’s perils.

EVENING: CONTENTMENT, NOT SATISFACTION

WE must distinguish between contentment and satisfaction. We are to strive to be content in any state; we are never to be satisfied in this world, whether our circumstances are prosperous or adverse. Satisfaction can come only when we awake in Christ’s likeness in the world of eternal blessedness. We are not to seek contentment by restraining or crushing the infinite cravings and longings of our souls. Yet we are meant as Christians to live amid all circumstances in quiet calmness and unbroken peace, in sweet restfulness of soul, wholly independent of the strifes and storms about us, and undisturbed by them. Content in whatever state, yet never satisfied—that is the ideal life for every Christian.

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