Peace!

(Isaiah 26:3 ESV) 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

This has always been one of my favorite verses in the Bible. When I was a kid, our church used to have us stand up on Wednesday nights and quote a Bible verse. I liked to quote this one because it was easy to say. It had a natural rhythm that I connected with; it enabled me to rattle it off with confidence! Truthfully, as a kid I really didn’t have an appreciation for its meaning because I was happy as long as mom and dad were happy! I can’t really remember being worried, bothered, or otherwise troubled.

It wasn’t until I got a little older and more aware of the “stuff of life,” that I occasionally thought about difficulty. Even then, the things I worried about weren’t life-changing. I threw an after-school paper route and I remember worrying about whether or not the weather would be good! Big stuff.

As I matured… gained a wife and kids… I started worrying in earnest. I mean, MY family depended on ME to provide for and take care of them. Then I started worrying about MY ministry assignments. After all, eternity hung in the balance for the souls of the people who attended MY church. I didn’t want to fail, so I worked very hard not to disappoint anyone. The problem was… I was taking on a role that God never intended for me. My family was in HIS hands. The church that I pastored was HIS church–NOT mine! I had to learn to trust Him.

Consider these observations…

• You KEEP him… The bowling alley often adds inflatable bumpers when children are bowling to keep their ball on the lane. It’s as though God sets up bumper guides to keep us on a straight path.
• PERFECT peace… This is the description of mature peace. One that is free from worry even in the face of challenging times.
• Whose mind is STAYED on God… Obviously, none of us think about God every second of every day. But, that is not what this is talking about. The writer is suggesting a consistent mindset that always remains peaceful.

How does this happen? It happens when we trust God. I have another “favorite” scripture that is appropriate here. (Isaiah 40:31 ESV) 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

That’s good stuff!

PRAYER: Father, I trust You. With Your help I will discipline my mind to remain focused upon You and Your ability to keep me in peace at all times! Amen.