“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” – Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
We have an assurance that God will keep us in perfect peace once our minds are kept on Him. “Perfect peace” is a beautiful state of complete mental and emotional tranquillity. In Hebrew, this literally means “peace peace” (Shalom Shalom), indicating a state of unshakable completeness, being fortified; not moved by challenges.
Our minds must be so fortified in God that the devil has no chance of derailing us from our purpose. So, when the storm comes, we can have the peace of God anchoring us in truth. The above Scripture also shows us that trusting God is the key to having peace, that kind of peace which passeth all understanding, a deep knowing that God will keep His promises. This peace is achieved through active faith in God.
We must deepen our relationship with God by studying His Word and being transformed by it. God’s Word will give us poised confidence to stand at ease in difficult times. Remember when Jesus was in the wilderness, having just completed a forty-day fast? The devil came to tempt Him, but Jesus stood His ground and said, “…It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” Matthew 4:4 (KJV). We must know what is written to defeat our giants and to have the peace of God, knowing that victory is ours and that the situations will change for our benefit.
God has called us to focus on His Word, not the pain, delays, criticism, or warfare. When we focus on the storm, we lose clarity of mind and confidence. In Matthew 14:27-30, after Jesus calmed His disciples and let them know it was Him walking on the water, Peter asked Jesus to command him to come to Him on the water, and Jesus told him to come. Peter started to walk on the water, but he took his eyes off the One who called him and looked at the strong winds; he became afraid and began to sink. Friends, learn to trust the character of God, not the storms.
In Mark 11:23 (KJV), we are reminded that if we say to the mountain, “…Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea…,” once we believe it will be done. That means we have all authority over every storm we encounter. We can have peace in the storm if we declare the Word of God.
Read: Philippians 4:8-9; Hebrews 12:5
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 71:19-24; Acts 6; Acts 7:1-19; 2 Samuel 15:13-37; 2 Samuel 16:1-14