Joshua 14:15

Rest from war.

"And the land had rest from war."

I. REST FROM WAR IS ONE OF THE GREATEST EARTHLY BLESSINGS . Even if war be a necessity it is a fearful necessity. Rarely are the advantages of a successful war equal to the cost of it. Rest from war affords occasion

II. UNIVERSAL REST FROM WAR WILL BE ONE OF THE CHIEF FRUITS OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL . Christ is the Prince of Peace. The Messianic age is prophetically described as an age of peace ( Isaiah 11:6-9 ; Luke 2:14 ). We must look to Christianity for the means of abolishing war, because this only can conquer

War can only cease when right and justice are respected by nations and the brotherhood of all mankind is universally recognised. These are moral conditions. Education, trade conventions, political schemes will not produce them. They are the highest fruits of Christian principle.

III. SPIRITUAL REST FROM INWARD WARFARE IS SECURED TO THE CHRISTIAN BY CHRIST .

(a) for the individual Christian in heaven ( Hebrews 4:9 ),

(b) for the whole human family at the time of the complete triumph of Christ ( Isaiah 2:4 ).—W.F.A.

HOMILIES BY R. GLOVER