The human heart longs for such but these can not be found in the habiliments of life. The reality of the illusiveness of peace and happiness is evident everywhere. Man can not produce peace and contentment for the inner nature of man is contrary to these. The lack of these traits is manifested through greed, power lust, self indulgence, disregard for the sanctity of life and warfare. Is there any remedy for the condition of mankind? Scripture tells us that God desires to share His happiness and peace with men. In fact, that first angelic chorus at the birth of the Savior announced to the shepherds a message of peace --
… “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."(Luke 2:13-14 NASB)
The question comes into our thinking -- with whom is God well pleased? Once again we turn to the Scriptures for God’s answer --
... “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”(Matt 17:5 KJV)
To hear the Son is to place ones faith in what the Son accomplished on the Cross – bearing our sins and satisfying the Righteousness of God. Faith expressed toward the saving work of Christ brings to the individual eternal life, peace with God. Because of this peace with God, there is the potential to experience the peace of God. This is that inner peace and happiness of the soul that is not disturbed by the adversities or successes in life. It comes from trusting wholly on the promises of God, with full confidence that God knows exactly what He is doing, and He knew of my present circumstances long before they occurred, in eternity past to be exact. Early in Biblical history we find a promise made to Jacob and one that he taught his sons. God had revealed to this patriarch the faithfulness of God. Jacob, whose name meant “chiseler,” had seen first hand God’s faithfulness in spite of his attempts to work out the plan that he thought was best for his life. Now years later, his youngest son, Joseph, had become the victim of his brothers’ jealousy and hatred. He had been sold into slavery and carried off to Egypt to an unknown future. Can he, in these circumstances, have that inner peace that will carry him through whatever comes his way? Is he all alone; will he be protected from harmful death or will he ever return to the land that God promised Abraham and his sons? Scripture answers each of these issues.
“And behold, I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."(Gen 28:15 NASB)
Joseph had laid the care of his life in the Lord’s hands, and there could be no fear in his soul for God does all things well. Joseph would rise from the ranks of slavery to become the prime minister of a great Egyptian Empire. He would take into that land his faith and trust in the true God of heaven and earth. Many, including the Pharaoh would come to believe in the God of Joseph. So great was God’s faithfulness in the life of this man, that he became a type of the coming Savior as he provided for the needs of his people and those of surrounding nations. He had learned to be content in all things resting in the unfailing promises of God.