I don’t think there’s anyone alive who isn’t looking for peace. This world is not the kindest of places to reside. So when you go through times where your mind is troubled and burdened by the cares of life, where do you go for peace? What do you turn to? Do you get lost in a book? Do you put on a show or a movie to take your mind off your circumstances?
I have to admit that I’ve done all of the above. But honestly, the most effective remedy to being troubled within that I found is in the Bible. God has the best advice about everything. it makesI I have to wonder why we humans don’t go to Him first. I am so grateful for how the Word of God can not only guide me in the way I should go, but also in the way I should think too.
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3
As I meditated on this verse, I saw “my part” (being steadfast of mind, trusting in God) and “God’s part” (keeping me and giving me His perfect peace). Let’s dig together to find out what having a “steadfast mind” and having “trust in God” looks like with skin on.
STEADFAST MIND
(my part)
In the Hebrew language, steadfast has a lot of facets – to support or brace oneself; propped, upheld, unmoved, firm. Let’s unpack each of those by looking at some dictionary definitions.
- To support oneself means to endure bravely or quietly, to bear. In Philippians 2:14-16, Paul had something to say about enduring and bearing circumstances quietly – “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life…”.
- To brace oneself means to fasten tightly; to take heart and get ready (as for an attack). That brings to mind 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”, and Ephesians 6:10-11 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
- To prop oneself up means that I’m choosing to lean myself against something (or in this case someONE) stronger and more sturdy than I am. This brings to mind Psalm 46:1-2 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea”, and Psalm 61:2-3 – “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”
- To be upheld means to be given support; to keep elevated; to lift up. To keep elevated in mind brought to mind Philippians 4:8-9 where God, through Paul, tells us what to allow to occupy our minds – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
- To be unmoved means to not change position or posture, especially to not be emotionally affected. When I’m wavering between panic and trust in God, James likens that to being tossed to and fro on the sea. Not focusing unmovingly on all that God is will lend itself to what Paul called “unstable in all his ways” (1:6,8).
TRUST IN GOD
(my part)
Trust in the Hebrew language means: to hie for refuge; to be secure and fear nothing for oneself; trusting with an active signification. Do you notice that there is both action and assurance in that definition? To “hie” means that you cause yourself to go quickly to God for refuge – that’s the action part. You turn to Him fast and you turn to Him first. When we do that the result is assurance – you are secure and in fear of nothing.
So what does it look like for God to be our refuge? The dictionary defines refuge as shelter or protection from danger and/or distress; something (or in our case–Someone) to whom one has recourse in difficulty. God is all of that for us, but we have to run to Him. “1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 3 Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart’,” (Psalm 91:1-4).
KEEP ME
(God’s part)
Keep in Hebrew me to watch, to guard, to keep. I looked up watch in the dictionary and it means to be awake during the night; to be attentive or vigilant; to keep guard; to keep someone or something under close observation.
- “To be awake during the night” brought to mind – “3 He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”, Psalm 121:3-4.
The dictionary defines keep as: to retain in one’s possession or power : preserve, maintain: such as, to watch over and defend : to take care of : tend : support : to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition : to continue to maintain : to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition : to have or maintain in an established position or relationship
- “To retain in one’s possession” – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…” (1 Peter 2:9); “and you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God”, (1 Corinthians 3:23).
PERFECT PEACE
(God’s part)
In the Hebrew language, the phrase perfect peace is written “shalowm shalowm”. This is so important because when the Bible uses the same word twice in a row it provides emphasis. Perfect peace means: safe, whole, entire; peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment. Let’s look at each of those words to get the fullness of what God’s peace looks like.
- Peace: a state of tranquility or quiet : freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
- Quiet: marked by little or no motion or activity : calm : gentle, easygoing : not interfered with : enjoyed in peace and relaxation : free from noise or uproar : still. Still brought to mind – Psalm 46:10 “Be STILL (cease striving) and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.”
- Tranquility: free from agitation of mind or spirit : unvarying in aspect : steady, stable
- Contentment: feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation
When I read that God will keep me in perfect peace — perfect wholeness, perfect tranquility, perfect contentment — it really shows me how able He is. So what is the glitch when I don’t experience that perfect me? ME. I am the glitch. I need to cooperate with His Spirit to experience His peace.
I can have feelings without feelings having me. I can choose to “take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The beginning of that verse is “we demolish arguments (every thought that says I can’t do this…every thought that anticipates the worst all the time…every thought that says there’s no way God can use this bad thing in a good way) and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (every time, in my arrogant independence, I choose to think ‘I got this’ and don’t turn to God for help and guidance…every time I give in to the feeling that ‘I’m all alone in my struggle’)”.
If I choose to do my part (have a steadfast mind and trust Him), God will surely do His (Keep me, and give me His perfect peace).
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3