Isa.26:3: Peace That Surpasses All Understanding.
Isa 26:3 (RSV) Thou dost keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.
Isa 26:3 (NCV) You, LORD, give true peace to
those who depend on you, because they trust you.
PERFECT PEACE
The Hebrew expression translated perfect peace is literally "peace,
peace"; [Nelson SB]
The word salom ("peace") is repeated, so
conveying the idea that this peace is perfect.
In perfect peace. Literally,
"in peace, peace." Perfect peace will be the inheritance of
the saints in the
Thou wilt
keep him in peace, peace, in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace
with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all events; this peace
shall he be put into, and kept in the possession of, whose mind is stayed upon
God, because it trusts in him.... Those that trust in God must have their minds
stayed upon him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and
faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as
do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them.
(Matthew Henry's Commentary)
MIND
"Mind" was widely used in the rabbinic writings to express the whole
attitude and direction of one's life.
TRUST
People who trust in the LORD enjoy perfect (i.e., complete, genuine) peace (cf.
Phil. 4:7), Perfect peace is one of God's gifts to those who trust in Him.
Confidence
in God rules out fear and anxiety over lesser things.
Sciptures to reflect on
Isaiah 31:1 (KJV) Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on
horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because
they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither
seek the Lord!
Isaiah 57:19-21 (KJV) I create the fruit of the
lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. [20] But the wicked
are like the troubled sea,
when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. [21] There is no
peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (KJV) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. [8] For
he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth
out her roots by the river,
and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not
be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding
fruit.
John
John
Romans
Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Philip. 4:7 (KJV) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
`Peace, peace; ' the repetition of the word denoting, as is usual in Hebrew,
emphasis, and here evidently meaning undisturbed, perfect peace. That is, the
mind that has confidence in God shall not be agitated by the trials to which it
shall be subject; by persecution, poverty, sickness, want, or bereavement.
(Barnes' Notes)
We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but with God we can know
perfect peace even in turmoil. 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 (see Philip. 4:7). Do you want peace?
Keep your thoughts on and your trust in God.
It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are born from above, the
same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble
Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place.
We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him.... When our will
is swallowed up in the will of God, and we use His gifts to bless others, we
shall find life's burden light.... Those who take Christ at His word, and
surrender their souls to
His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude.... As
through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His
invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we
begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through
Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of
glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense will
be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in
this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. All
that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what is this compared with
the hereafter?
While
engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These
silent petitions rise like incense before the throne of grace; and the enemy is
baffled. The Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome.
No evil arts can destroy his peace. All the promises of God's word, all the
power of divine grace, all the resources of Jehovah, are pledged to secure his
deliverance. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was with him, a
present help in every time of need.... Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is
the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and
the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate
contact with the Well-spring of life, and strengthens
the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of
prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient,
and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor.
It is only at the altar of God that we can kindle our tapers with divine fire.
In our society older saints often feel they are not doing their part.
They can't help with the children; their bodies won't cooperate
to do certain physically hard work; they have difficultly hearing or seeing;
they feel like they can't contribute anymore. This idea must be eradicated! If
you are someone like this, or know someone
like this, consider Anna who was very old (Luke
else can render this service; encourage them! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom re
Psa.34:15]
Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You
know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You may do His will by
simply resting in His arms. {MH 251}
All you are expected to do is to rest in His love. Do not worry. Jesus loves
you, and now when you are weak and suffering, He holds you in His arms, just as
a loving father holds a little child. Trust in Him in
whom you have believed. Has He not loved and cared for you all through your
lifetime? Just rest in the precious promises given you. {TDG 313}
The inhabitants of
Even death cannot thwart God's purposes. We live in hope, because we know that
if we should die before we see God's plan for this earth achieved, He will
raise us from the dead to share His triumph!
And help and grace sufficient for every circumstance are promised by Him whose
word is truth. His everlasting arms encircle the soul that turns to Him for
aid. In His care we may rest safely, saying, "What time I am afraid, I
will trust in thee" (Ps. 56:3).
God can't give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because there is no
such thing. C. S. Lewis