Perfect Peace

Scripture

You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord is everlasting strength. -Isaiah 26:3-4

I was studying this scripture, and I found it difficult to move past it and read on to the next verses. The word for peace in Hebrew is 'shalom'; however, perfect peace means 'shalom shalom' for added emphasis. I did a little research on the kind of peace that comes from this scripture and found that this is one of the most beautiful promises from our God. Peace here means to be whole, sound, and safe. It also means to be completed. So, when we keep our minds settled and established upon the LORD Himself, He will keep us whole, sound, safe, and complete. We will live in this place of peace because we trust in Him. It is important to note that this promise is dealing with our minds.  Love God with all of your mind. (Matthew 22:37). You are transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2). You are to set your mind on things above, not on earthly things (Philippians 3:19).

This Christian walk is not always about feeling and doing, but thinking. We are to set our minds before the Lord. He is the object of our affection. To be kept in perfect peace, we must have our minds stayed on Him. The word 'stayed' in Hebrew means to prop, to lean upon, bear up, establish, and rest. In other words, Beloved, allow your mind to prop, lean upon, be established, and rest in God. This establishes your trust in Him. To be established by Him and to lean on Him is to trust Him. Beloved, what do you lay your mind upon? What upholds your mind? What is your mind established upon? To maintain perfect peace, we cannot occasionally think of Him. The enemy would love nothing more than to keep our minds on anything else but God. 

To receive the promise of perfect peace, Beloved, we must trust the Lord forever because He IS everlasting strength. So, let's sum up this promise from our God. The Lord promises to keep him whole, sound, and safe whose mind is established and trusts in Him. Such a person should trust in the Lord because He is everlasting strength. When your mind gets tossed about by anxiety, remember the promise. When troubled and confusing thoughts enter your mind, remember the promise. When your strength gets weak, remember the promise. This promise offers strength, courage, and security as you fulfill God's purpose for your life. Will you keep your mind on Him, Beloved? 

Prayer 

 Father, thank you for the promise of perfect peace for those whose minds are focused on you. In times of uncertainty and fear, Lord, help us to trust you completely. May our thoughts be steadfast, rooted, and anchored in you, Lord. Amen