Mission Venture Ministries

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

With all that is going on in the world today, this verse should prove to be of special help to us. Many are constantly threatened with the three great enemies of doubt, fear and worry, and need to keep their minds fixed on the Lord and realize how precious and comforting these words become to us instead of letting apprehension and depression take control. 

Paul taught the Philippians to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! . . . The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7). How blessed we are as Christians, because this peace belongs to those who rest on the finished work of Christ for salvation. 

Perfect peace starts with peace with God through Jesus Christ, for He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). And the only way to achieve a steadfast mind that lasts into eternity is through total trust in God. 

Is God still on his throne, blessing and keeping His children? Then be steadfast. Has God sent His one and only Son to save you by His death on the cross? Then trust in Him because, He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 38:1). His compassions will never fail you, they are new every morning; great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). Trust in Him by completely surrendering all to Him, and then you will have a steadfast mind and enjoy complete peace. 

Believers have an obligation to “let the peace of God rule” in their hearts (Colossians 3:15). This means we have the choice either to trust God’s promises, letting His peace rule, or to rely on ourselves and reject the peace He offers. Jesus gave His disciples peace based on the truth that He has overcome the world (John 14:27; 16:33). Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, so, if we are allowing the Spirit of God to rule in our lives, we will experience His peace (Galatians 5:22-23). To be spiritually minded brings life and peace, according to Romans 8:6. 

The world will continue to have wars and interpersonal conflicts until Jesus comes to establish true, lasting peace (Isaiah 11), but God will give His peace to those who trust Him. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5), and has made it possible for us to have peace with God. Once His peace rules in our hearts, we are able to share that peace with others and become promulgators of peace (Isaiah 52:7) and ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). 

Too many people think of God as being far away, off in heaven somewhere. Others think of God as being in their distant future when they are older and don’t see God as being accessible or available to them in the immediacy of their lives. 

The truth is, God is present with us in every moment of every day and we need to keep our focus on Him so that we will keep in perfect peace as Isaiah states. 

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