Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace…

Isaiah 26:3

In a time of civil unrest, we can find ourselves feeling a little overwhelmed. Even Christians, and it is Christians that I am writing to. I had a friend, who is a retired police officer and is also a Christian, tell me he just has not been able to experience the peace of God with all that is going on in our country. I appreciate his willingness to be candid with me. I did not want to make him feel bad about his emotions, but it prompted me to think of this passage from Isaiah.

God’s word is filled with so many wonderful promises, and he wants us to experience them, as well as believe them. I sent this verse to him, and told him I may preach on it soon.

Consider what the verse says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace…” It is God who helps to keep us in perfect peace, not us. We do not have the ability to give ourselves peace when we naturally feel overwhelmed. God must do it, and God is able to do so. The question is, do I believe that?

What is perfect peace? It is complete peace. The Hebrew word is Shalom. It refers to tranquility. The perfect part of it refers to it keeping us, mind, body, and soul, in perfect peace. Now that is a promise! Praise the Lord for that kind of promise! It is only in times of great distress that we really appreciate that kind of peace!

My friend said he struggled with this, and I want to help him and anyone else who could use some of this perfect peace.

There is more to the promise, and I intentionally left off the last half of the verse until now. The last half of the verse gives us the condition of this peace.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee…” This means those who rest in the Lord, like you would in an easy chair, are always mindful of its presence but always restful in its presence. It means to lean heavily on, to put your weight on. This is what we are to do with the Lord. We are to put the weight of our burden on him. We are to feel His support and rest in His ability!

It also has the idea of remaining in that position. Some people take their burdens to the Lord in prayer, then take them back when they are finished. If that is the case, don’t say amen! Stay in prayer! Continue in prayer! Philippians 4:6 is the New Testament equivalent of this verse. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

It takes time in prayer, but you will truly feel the difference as you continue to lean on the Rock of your salvation!