Your prayer has come before us laden with sorrow for the peace of your own dwelling, and we have heard in it the cry of one who longs for safety where safety should most surely be found. The Lord knows what it is to have no place of rest, and He hears the voice of those who seek Him in their trouble.
It is written, He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. He sendeth forth His commandment upon earth, His word runneth very swiftly. When the home is disturbed and the borders are broken, there is no health for the soul within nor strength for service without. True piety must first be nourished at home, the bars of the gates must be strengthened by grace, or else the Word cannot run swiftly. We pray that the Lord will make your home to be again a place of peace, where His fear dwells and His blessing rests upon all within.
There is a peace which the world cannot give and cannot take away. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Though duties press and sorrows surge round, though the house be troubled and the heart be afraid, the blood of Jesus whispers peace within. This perfect peace is not far off, it is a present possession for those whose trust is stayed upon Christ. Would that we could stay at home in our closets with our God, for we shall find peace much better there. Bear your sorrow with Him, spread your grief before His mercy seat, for it is not true that His ear is shut. The promise stands, Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.
We read also of deliverance, that He brings forth His people and that He has found a ransom. Salvation is of the Lord, and deliverance from the pit must come from the right hand of the Most High. He who delivered Israel with silver and gold, He who loosed the captive when the lamb was slain, is able to deliver you from every wrongful plot and from the power of evil spirits. No deliverance is wrought by our own hand, it must be of free grace only, and therefore we look to Christ alone, through whom we have peace with God and acceptance in the Beloved.
We join our hearts with yours and pray after this manner. O Lord our God, who makest peace in the borders of Thy people, look in mercy upon this troubled home. Let Thy presence be a hedge about it, and let no weapon formed against it prosper. Remove, by Thy wise and holy providence, that which brings harm and strife, and restrain every hand and tongue that would do evil. Cleanse this dwelling from all that defiles, guard the marriage covenant which Thou hast ordained for one man and one woman till death, and make it strong and pure before Thee. Give perfect peace to this anxious heart, keep the mind stayed upon Christ, and let the whisper of His blood speak louder than fear. Grant wisdom to seek godly counsel and lawful help where there is danger, and let Thy Word run swiftly through this house to bring order, holiness and love. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our peace and our ransom. Amen.
Take this promise home with you and suck at its juice, Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. Seek, and ye shall find, knock, and the door shall surely be opened unto you.
