Isaiah 66:12

The peace of God's Church resembles a river.

I. In its source. The source or spring of a river is hidden. It wells up from the fountains of the great deep beneath the earth. Many see the river in its course, and witness the fertility with which its progress is attended, whose footsteps never approached its source, nor indeed could do so. The source of peace to God's children is God Himself. The peace of God is a well of water springing up in the depths of the spirit. And accordingly men can see that peace only in its effects and results.

II. In the method of its nourishment. It is true that rivers are fed perpetually by their springs. But an external nourishment is also supplied to them by occasional rains and landfloods, which swell the rivers and cause them to rise, and even to overflow their channels. The river of the Christian's peace is augmented by contrition. The tears and sighs of godly sorrow are essential to the fulness of that peace. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

III. In its course. (1) A river in its course is quietly progressive. The Christian's peace is a peace of progress in grace. (2) A river is exceeding deep. And the peace of God is said to "pass all understanding." The nature and character of that peace is unintelligible to those who have not tasted it, and by those who have tasted it its depth is unfathomable. (3) A river in its course is fertilising and enriching. The peace of God is at the root of all holy fruitfulness. (4) A river in its course is clean and cleansing. The peace of God's Church is a clean and holy (because a living) peace—clear as crystal, and perfectly alien from all defilement. (5) A river bears burdens. It is one of the most delightful characteristics of the Christian's peace that its buoyancy supports many and grievous burdens.

IV. At its mouth. A river expands at its mouth. For the last few miles of its progress the distance between its banks becomes wider, till at length it pours itself with a full flood into the ocean. The peace of the true believer is enlarged as he draws near to the heavenly goal, and accordingly the country of his soul is more abundantly fertilised.

E. M. Goulburn, Sermons in the Parish Church of Holywell, p. 229.

Isaiah 66:13I. God comforts like the ideal mother. The only perfect mother is in the mind and heart of God. And He comforts as that image might be expected to comfort and would be capable of comforting.

II. God comforts as the mothers comforted of whom the prophet spoke. No mother is perfect, but every true and good mother is a great consoler. (1) God comforts naturally; (2) He comforts personally; (3) He comforts lovingly; (4) He comforts practically; (5) He comforts broadly; (6) He comforts constantly; (7) He comforts effectually.

S. Martin, Comfort in Trouble, p. 1.

References: Isaiah 66:13.—J. T. Stannard, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxiv., p. 252. Isaiah 66:19.—Clergyman's Magazine, vol. x., p. 272. Isaiah 66:21.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xvii., No. 992; J. Keble, Sermons from Advent to Christmas Eve, p. 332.