Having the ‘PERFECT’ PEACE from GOD
July 24 Bible Reading: Isaiah Chapters 25-27
Having the ‘PERFECT’ PEACE from GOD
"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)
In Isaiah 26:1-6, Isaiah predicted a day when the people of
Judah will sing about Jerusalem as a “strong
city” that will open its gates to the righteous. God will be known as the
One who humbles the proud (“those who
dwell on high”) and levels their cities, allowing the oppressed to triumph
over them. Here, the city of God is in contrast to man’s city (Isaiah 24:10).
The righteous nation (redeemed Israel) experiences the “perfect peace” that comes from leaning hard on Jehovah.
The famous evangelist D.L. Moody tied verses 3 and 4 in the
following manner: “The tree of peace
strikes its roots into the crevices of the Rock of Ages.” The people of God
realize that “in YAH the Lord is
everlasting strength” or, “the Rock
of Ages” (In Hebrew, YAH is the shortened form of YHWH, the revered name of
Jehovah God). It was from this expression that Augustus Toplady got the idea
for one of the greatest hymns in all times called “Rock of Ages.” Seeking shelter in a cleft of a rocky crag during a
violent thunderstorm, he started writing this hymn using the following words: “Rock of Ages, cleft for
me, let me hide myself in Thee.”
The expression ‘perfect
peace’ indicates a peace that goes beyond our human comprehension. To have
one’s mind stayed on God means to lean on God in total confidence and security.
Trust is the ultimate expression of that confidence, and this “perfect peace” is only found in
Immanuel (Isaiah 9:6; 11:6–9; 14:7). This peace of God is only that which the
righteous receive from God (v. 12; 32:17, 18; 55:12; 66:12) and will extend to
the wicked (48:22; 59:8).
Let us remember that in the midst of turmoil and disarray in
our lives where we tend to be anxious and troubled in our hearts. It is at
these times that we can turn to God in prayer to provide us both strength in
our hearts and peace in our minds.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)
