Perfect Peace

PERFECT PEACE

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26: 3-4)

This morning's Freedom Fighter devotional was written by my friend and mentor, the late Dr. Stephen F. Olford. This was one of the last things he penned before he went home to be with the Lord:

THOUGHT: There is a close connection between the opening verses of Isaiah 26 and the words of our text. In his song of victory Isaiah describes a strong city with salvation for its walls and bulwarks and open gates for those whose lives are characterized by righteousness and truth. The prophet then goes on to speak of the security and serenity of those who live within this city of God. So we have:

I. The Source of Perfect Peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You…for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (v.3-4). The source of this wonderful peace is the Lord Jehovah. He is spoken of in these matchless verses as the “everlasting strength” or literally, the “rock of ages.” How comforting to know that in a world where everything seems to be shaking and shifting the Christian can stay his mind upon the Rock of Ages.

II. The Scope of Perfect Peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” (v.3). The scholars tell us that this should more accurately read, “You will keep him in ‘peace, peace’ whose mind is stayed on You.” The peace which God offers His own people is not intermittent or occasional, but rather like a glorious river ever flowing in its unbroken fullness to the believing heart. (See Phil. 4:7).

III. The Secret of Perfect Peace. “ You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You… Trust in the Lord forever.” (v.3-4). The word for “mind” here is “thought or imagination.” It is within the area of our thoughts and imaginations that unrest, turmoil, and fear begin; but to stay our minds, in simple trust, upon Jehovah is to know perfect peace.

THRUST:
Stayed upon Jehovah,
Hearts are fully blest;
Finding, as he promised,
Perfect peace and rest.
Francis R. Havergal

Determined Digging: Proverbs 29; Psalms 54-56; Romans 3

Dig This Quote: It is of not value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a “living sacrifice” – to let Him have all your strengths that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus (Romans 12:1). This is what is acceptable to God.

Determined Digging: Level 1: Isaiah 40:31; Level 2: Psalm 103:6-10

Join us this morning at 9:30 AM as Dr. Robertson McQuilken shares God's Word. Dr. Bill Jones will be speaking at 7:00 PM. You can watch live at www.americaskeswick.org

Determined Praying: A powerful prayer is one that does not let go. It does not quit. -- Michael Catt