Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3-4

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock."

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Dear Saint, what does perfect peace mean to you? Here the prophet sings of a peace that is unknown by the world! It’s an inner peace, one that doesn’t leave feelings of anxiety at inevitable bad news. This is an outward peace, one that doesn’t lead to angry outbursts or stressful fits. This perfect peace is a deep abiding peace that keeps the child of God anchored in a future hope that is not fully realized, yet is confident in the present promise that our Good Shepherd has not abandoned us or left the gate open to the enemy! This is a peace that the world longs for, that musicians sing about, that poets write about, that politicians promise, and yet they cannot comprehend! We see that it is a peace that only God can give, that it belongs to him, and that he can keep His children in it.

This perfect peace is for that dear child whose mind is stayed on the Lord. Have you spent time this morning dwelling on the Lord and all of his goodness towards you? Do you see his common grace even now as spring bursts forth with new life? Have you counted the blessings of God in your life today? If you were to write down all of his mercies would you be long at the task? Do you know the goodness of his Word and how it satisfies the deepest thirst of the soul? Have you committed his promises to memory? When you seek Him in prayer, is yours a familiar voice?

Greater still is the proclamation that the LORD who gives perfect peace is trustworthy because he is an everlasting rock. You see dear friend, you need not peace concerning tomorrow’s uncertainty, as much as you need peace with your creator. We are born with our face set against him, and we are totally deserving of his full wrath! The protection that we need is against the full measure of his judgment that he has pronounced over all creation for our own rebellion. Is your heart unsettled over unconfessed sin? Are you apprehensive in this day and hour because you perhaps hold on to this world and all of the present joys that it offers? Christ calls you to turn to him this day for he is the Chief Cornerstone! He is the ROCK OF AGES! He is a cleft for the one that will flee to him! His blood is effective and worthy and is the only atonement that can be had! Dear Christian, set your mind on Christ today. Experience the perfect peace he gives! Hide yourself in the cleft of the Rock of Ages!

While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

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~ written by Ben Evans