The Perfect Peace the Lord Grants
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
-Isaiah 26:03-
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It would look like everything is going on very well in our lives. Smiles, sunrises, good mornings, good evenings, sunsets, good nights, and the days keep passing by. However, somewhere in the corner of our hearts, there would be small but widening ripples of worry caused by a little disturbance of fear. In the midst of days of peace that we experience, there will be small moments of anxiety and insecurity that keep us from experiencing one of the greatest blessings the Lord has promised us: His perfect peace.
The perfect peace comes from the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus our Lord! And, just as this blessing is promised by the Lord, we see that this 'perfect peace' is the result of a beautiful relationship of trust and faith established between God and us. God gives His perfect peace freely, but we need to claim this peace through the expression of our faith. We need to spiritually show, both in our thoughts and actions, that we have put our total trust in Him. And this could be the reason why, even though we say that we have faith in the Lord, we are unable to experience the perfect peace that the Lord has promised us.
Isaiah 26:03 clearly identifies those who will be kept in perfect peace. It says, "those whose minds are steadfast." This leads us to explore the word "steadfast" and its meaning, and ultimately understand that this whole passage is about putting that word into practice in our lives. Steadfast is a word that is used in many biblical and moral contexts to describe someone who is unshakeable. At its core, it means being firmly fixed in place and unwavering in direction or purpose.
Being steadfast expresses resilience, stability, loyalty, faithfulness and persistence. And in this context, as we read the words "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast," the word also carries the idea of a mind that is "locked in" on God, refusing to be distracted by fear or worry. Being steadfast is not being stubborn; rather, when considering the Hebrew word "Samuch" (סָמוּךְ) used for the early translations meaning "stayed", it becomes clear that this word means staying unmoved in your place, but leaning and propping yourself up against something. Thus, we learn that someone whose mind is steadfast and fixed on God is not overcome by what happens around them from time to time, and their faith is not moved by any storm, tide or wind that could hit them so hard. But will lean and prop themselves up against the immovable rock and firm foundation Christ Jesus the Lord, and they will stay unmoved! At the end, we realise that being steadfast is not our human ability to stay unmoved, but it is our humility to lean on God and find firmness in Him.
Therefore, Isaiah 26:03 teaches us that having our minds steadfast brings two important spiritual benefits towards experiencing the perfect peace granted by the Lord. One, it becomes an expression of our trust. The verse ends by saying "because they trust in you." Having a steadfast mind is an expression of our trust in God. It shows that, come what may, we stand so strong in our trust in God. Not moved by incidents, not shaken by news, not broken by loss. Second, it becomes the only platform on which we fully experience the perfect peace granted by God. Though we may have the promise of God's perfect peace in our lives, since many of our minds are not steadfast, we are not able to receive the promise of peace we have in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Today, you hear the great call. The words are clear, and the calling is out of compassion. Christ Jesus wants you to receive that perfect peace in your heart and in your lives, and He stands there with open arms. But is your mind steadfast? Are you willing to lean on the Lord and to find the strength to stand strong? Are your words and actions expressing the trust you have in Him? Are you ready to experience His promise? Come. Lean on Him. Find the strength to stand strong. Express. Receive.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us, now and forevermore. Amen.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
Ebenezer Breman Veerasingam
"Perfect Peace🎶"
by Tenielle Neda
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