Articles
Perfect Peace
Perfect Peace
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3-4)
As I think about the promise of perfect peace, my mind is filled with the promise of Jesus to his disciples in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.” The world attempts to give us peace through possessions, pleasures and amusements, fame and fortune but in the end, these are things that bring worries and anxieties, heartache and sorrow into our lives.
Not long ago I read a statement that said, “Peace really has nothing to do with what is going on around you but has everything to do with what is going on within you.” There is a measure of truth in that statement. Our hearts are sometimes a raging battleground of emotional conflict and if we are not careful to diligently guard our hearts, worry, anxiety, fear, stress, anger, grieving and this list continues on and on of the emotions that will rob us of peace of mind.
Philippians 4:4-7 is a beautiful passage, full of assurance and comfort to us, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” When our trust is firmly in God, we will be safe and secure, his presence is ours, he is our shield and defender (Psalms 18:1-3, Psalms 23, Isaiah 40:28-31, Galatians 2:20).
Stop for a moment and let the words of Psalms 34:17-19 sink deep into your heart, “The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” With all my heart, I believe that whether the path we walk be smooth or rough, whether it be filled with sunshine or rain and be dark as the midnight, so long as we are trusting and confiding in God, walking close to him, he will lift us up with that perfect peace that is far beyond the understanding of those who do not know him.
As a faithful child of God, we can draw near with confidence to the throne of grace and there receive mercy and the help we need (Hebrews 4:16). May the words of Psalms 62:8 echo within your heart this day, “Trust Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Isaiah tells us that when our minds are set or fixed on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace because we trust in Him (Isa. 26:3).
When the perfect peace of God reigns in our heart, we can come to the end of the day with calmness, quietness and peacefulness of soul, lie down and sleep the night away knowing that all is well with our soul. By the same token, the Lord willing, we awaken in the morning to face a new day confidently knowing our God will be watching over us, keeping us in His peace. Lean on Him (Romans 8:26-28)
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
