Perfect Peace

[Paul]

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

What is signified by a mind “stayed on” the Lord? At least three things.

First, to make the Lord the Portion of my soul.

All around us are those vainly seeking contentment in things: such as money, and what it can buy, social prestige, fame, pleasures, etc.—all of which are broken vessels which hold no water. Only the One who made us can satisfy the heart; only as our affection is set upon “things above” do we drink of the Fountain of living waters. Just in proportion as “Delight thyself also in the LORD” (Psa. 37:4) will “perfect peace” be mine now.

Second, to receive from God’s hand whatsoever enters my life.

I need to cultivate the habit of looking beyond all secondary causes, all intermediary agents and human instruments, recognising that “of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are ALL things” (Rom. 11:36). “Cease ye from man” (Isa. 2:22); conclude no more it is Satan who is seeking to disturb your rest; but say, “The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it!” (John 18:11). As we are enabled to say from the heart “It is the LORD: let Him do what seems good to Him” (1 Sam. 3:18) will “perfect peace” be ours in this world of sin and turmoil.

Third, to leave the future entirely with God.

And why not? Are not my “times” in His hand (Psa. 31:15)? Has He not graciously cared for me and faithfully supplied my every? Then why be fearful of what lies ahead? Has He not promised never to leave nor forsake me! Just in proportion as I live a day at a time, and “Take therefore no anxious thought for the morrow” (Matt. 6:34) will “perfect peace” be mine even now. But each of these three things is dependent upon the exercise of FAITH; as the text says “because he trusts in You.” O to know more of this!

- A.W. Pink

[†MARANATHA†]

\o/ AMEN! \o/

[Kem]

I especially like the third aspect. Leaving the future entirely with God has calmed my fears more times than I can count.
Thanks for this post Paul

[OwnedByJesus]

Very good!

You post great stuff Paul...even the Pug thingy. :):

Oh yea, like Kem, it has taken some time but the Lord truely has 'delivered me from all my fears' (though I deserve it not and often am afraid when I rely on myself). Psalm 34:4

:clap

[Sonflower]

Any thread title with "perfect peace" in it gets my attn. It's one of my life's missions! Thanks, Paul. I always appreciate your posts.

[Paidfor]

Peace in God is my goal. A couple of verses come to mind. One is to learn to be content in whatever state i am. And the other is to count it joy whenever I fall into temptation. If I can learn to rejoice in tribulation and in blessings, I will have peace. Not there yet.

[Paul]

Peace, The Gift Of God


WHOM SHALL WE FEAR

The Bible tells us that in the last days before Christ’s return that, “perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1). We’re told that people would turn from worshiping God to worshiping themselves (2 Timothy 3:1-4). As a result of turning from God, many false prophets will rise up and deceive, sin will abound, there will be many “wars and rumors of wars” and the love of many people will run cold (Matthew 24:11-12, Mark 13:7).

Certainly those days have come.

But Jesus told us that we were not to fear or be afraid (Mark 13:7) because He has given us His peace. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

The peace the world offers is, at best, temporary, but the peace Christ gives is eternal and flows like a river (Isaiah 66:12). It passes all earthly understanding (Philippians 4:7).


FEAR THAT LEADS TO PEACE

So how do we obtain this peace?

Jesus said "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5)

The path to peace begins, ironically enough, with the fear – fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord is the understanding that God is the King Of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16), who is the Creator of All things (Genesis 1) the righteous Judge over all mankind (Rev 20:12) and we stand before Him guilty of sin (Romans 3:23). With this godly respect and reverence for the Almighty we cry out for forgiveness like the tax collector in Luke 18:13, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.”

God responds to this cry by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16) “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Those who put their faith in Christ are forgiven of their sins. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

Consider these words from Charles Spurgeon: “Dear reader, where are you this evening? Can you by humble faith look to Jesus, and say, "My substitute, You are my rock, my trust"? Then, beloved, be not afraid of God's power; for by faith you have fled to Christ for refuge, the power of God need no more terrify you, than the shield and sword of the warrior need terrify those whom he loves. Rather rejoice that He who is "great in power" is your Father and Friend.”

“Yes, Jesus said, “in the world you will have tribulation,” but He was quick to add, “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." “I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2) No matter what happens to us in this life we will be with Christ forever. This is the foundation of our peace.


HAVING PEACE IN A TROUBLED WORLD

Now let’s build on that foundation. We are to be “anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7

Once we accept Christ will we still fear the things of the world? Yes, but now our response should be to immediately take our focus off our worldly fear and look again to Christ, who is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). We “cast our cares upon Him” (1 Peter 5:7) and pray for the grace and strength to see His will be done. We let go and trust Him to handle the situation.

”Peace, peace, sweet peace,
Wonderful gift from above,
Oh, wonderful, wonderful peace,
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.”

[Cricket55]

Well said Paul.

[SumSam]

Thanks for posting, Paul. I needed to read that just now. :):