Whew - another "I will" promise for us to dig into!
All of the versions we looked at were so great, but these three were the best -
NLT -
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
NIV -
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.
Also the AMP version in the picture above - now I don't usually love the Amplified (I think it's the brackets that drive me nuts) - but the AMP of this verse is especially awesome!
Go read it a couple times - I'll wait.
Isaiah chapter 26 is titled "A Song of Praise" - A psalm of trust, praise and meditation - Isaiah is continuing the praise of God's people for delivering them from the hands of their enemies. In fact, this chapter is actually a song that will be sung on that day when Christ establishes His Kingdom. Spurgeon calls chapter 26 The Songs of Judah.
You will keep - who will keep? --> God will keep.
Keep = cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course.
**God will cause me to continue in peace, to stay on course with His peace.
Keep where, in what? --> In perfect and constant peace.
Peace = freedom from distractions; tranquility; calm; harmony; stillness. A state or period in which there is no war or war has ended.
This is a super good definition of peace - however, this is God's Peace that we are talking about here so it is even more wonderful than the definition! It is His actual Peace that He gives us and it really does exceed understanding!
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~ John 14:27
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
Last year I had a cancer scare - now the Leeandra of old would have been consumed with worry to the point of vomiting, crying, completely hysterical, calling everyone with a phone number and making them join in the misery. But I wasn't like that - I gave the whole thing to God and put all my trust in Him. You know what He gave me? He gave me a peace that I seriously could not explain, I would just smile at my hubby, the only one who I told and tell him, I am not worried and I do not understand how.
I used to have a constant war in my mind but now the war has ended because God gave me His perfect peace!!
Perfect = without any flaws; no disturbance.
**A peace that is without disturbance!
Constant = a situation or state of affairs that does not change.
**A peace that does not change!
In Hebrew, the term perfect peace is actually shalom shalom. This shows how in Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity. It isn't just shalom; it is shalom shalom, perfect peace.
"Understand, dear soul, that it is thy privilege to live inside the double doors of God's loving care. He says to thee 'Peace, peace.' If one assurance is not enough, He will follow it with a second and a third." ~ Meyer
God alone is the issuer of perfect peace!
With God we can know perfect peace even in turmoil!
When we keep our minds and hearts on God as we should, nothing could possibly disrupt our path unless we allow it to!
Who will God keep in perfect and constant peace? --> The one whose mind is steadfast, that is committed and focused on You in both inclination and character.
Dependent = unable to do without
**LORD - I am unable to do without You!!
Steadfast = firm and unwavering
Inclination = a person's natural tendency or urge to act or feel a particular way
Character = the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual
The CBS says "the mind that is dependent on you"
One commentary said "This is the place of perfect peace and the source of it. When we keep our minds stayed - settled upon, established upon - the LORD Himself, then we can be kept in this perfect peace."
Same commentary - "The Christian life is not an unthinking life of just doing, or experiencing, but it is also about thinking, and where we set our mind is essential in our walk before the LORD." - "To have this perfect peace, your mind cannot occasionally come to and lean upon the LORD; it has to be stayed on Him."
When we are devoted to Him our whole attitude is steady and stable!
Supported by God's unchanging love and mighty power, we are NOT shaken by the surrounding chaos!
Why will God give the one perfect and constant peace? --> Because he trusts in and takes refuge in God with hope and confident expectation.
Refuge = something providing shelter; safe accommodations.
**God is our shelter, He provides safe accommodations.
Confident = certain; having full trust.
Expectation = a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.
**We must discipline our minds to rehearse and remember the truth about God and His promises.
Your focus has to stay on the LORD instead of yourself, your problems, and your worries.
It's a choice - trust in, take refuge in God and you will receive His gift of perfect peace.
We must lean on Jesus - pray, give our troubles to Him so we find rest and peace.
We always have to put total faith in God.
You are in control of where your mind wanders, so always keep your mind on God.
We CAN find peace in God!
"You can trust in Him now, you can trust in Him tomorrow, you can trust Him with tomorrow because He is an everlasting Rock and in Him there is perfect peace." ~ Platt
If you trust in the LORD forever, you will receive His promise of perfect peace!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
We walk by faith, not by sight.
Do you have a confident expectation that God will provide you with perfect peace when your mind and thoughts are fixed on Him?
"Keep your eye simply on Him; let His death, His suffering, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when you wake in the morning look to Him; when thou lie down at night look to Him. Oh! let not your hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail you." ~ Spurgeon
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