We Have Peace in the Prince of Peace

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Jesus made it perfectly clear that in this world we will have tribulation. However, before He warned us of this, in the same verse, He told us that in Him we have peace, and also reminded us that He had overcome the world (John 16:33). In today's verse, God made Israel a promise that they would have peace if they stayed their mind on Him. This promise came with a promise of salvation, in chapter 26. It also came with a promise that God was going to judge the world one day for its rebellion and sin; we know this time as the Tribulation. We, as the church will not be here when that judgement is poured out on the earth; but that does not exempt us from the trials and troubles we face in the world today. We were not promised that we would never suffer trials or persecution before Jesus comes back to take us up from here. Instead, Jesus promised us that we can have peace in Him. The words used in today's verse are interesting. The word "keep" means to guard, conceal, or preserve, like a watchman. The word "stayed" means to prop, lean, lie hard, or rest. In other words, God guards us, conceals us, and preserves us (our hearts and minds) when we completely lean and rest in Him; the same way we lean against a wall when we are tired, or lie down on our bed, trusting that we will be held up or find rest. This requires a complete trust in the Lord. Jesus promised that He gives us peace, not like the world gives peace (which is not peace at all). Because of this He tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, nor let it be afraid (John 14:27). The peace that we have when we completely lean on the Lord, and trust Him, is a peace the surpasses all understanding. But if we are to grab hold of that peace we must be willing not only to trust Him, but we must be willing to bring our concerns to Him by prayer and supplication. The Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 4:6-7 that when we do this, with thanksgiving, the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds. What a great promise we have from our wonderful Savior and Lord; a promise we can hold on to in such times as we live in today. It is a promise that comes from the One who Isaiah called the Prince of Peace.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).