‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. ‘ Isaiah 26:3-4
Do you have peace in your heart?
Does this peace stay in your heart even when things are not going your way?
If we are not experiencing peace in our hearts, we must bring this before the Lord as quickly as we know peace is not there.
Let’s break down the verse from Isaiah: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you…”
When I think about this portion of scripture, I see a promise. The promise I see is that if I trust in the Lord, He will keep me in “perfect” peace. Think about that: if we trust the Lord, He will provide perfect peace.
The other thing I think about is that He puts it on us to trust Him.
A personal example recently: My father was experiencing some heart issues. He was driven to the emergency room, and they admitted him immediately. The weather got terrible after they made it to the hospital, with ice storms that covered the state for three days.
The problem was that he had to be moved to another hospital to get the life-saving surgery he needed.
At first, I had lost my peace. I didn’t want to lose my father. I love my father. I was emotionally distraught at first. I was worried. This reaction is expected when one first experiences something of this nature.
But when I realized my peace was lost, I turned to the only person who could bring this peace back to my heart. And that was Jesus, the Lord of my heart.
When I started to focus on the promises of the Lord, peace began to return to my heart.
‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ‘ Romans 8:28
This is the first one, Romans 8:28. When I focused on the truth, I realized that both my father and I were Christians and that one of two things was going to happen: The Lord would take him home to be with Him, or he would receive the surgery that he needed, and he would be better, despite the weather.
As the Lord would have, he was transferred to the hospital he needed to go to; he had the surgeries necessary to correct what was happening, and now he is home recovering.
When I turned to the Lord, the peace returned.
The Lord made it possible for me to visit and help for a few days, and He blessed me with my father’s presence for five more days to this point. What a blessing!
And you know what he said to me? He said, “The Lord has more for me to do.” What a blessing!! 🙏❤️
My father wasn’t thinking, “Why did God allow this to happen to me?” He could have quickly dropped into the woe-is-me mindset, but he chose to focus on the future work he has to do for the Lord.
This was a real blessing for me to experience. Thank You, Lord!
He’s got work ahead of him in this recovery, but I am confident the Lord will have him out and witnessing soon.
When this started, I was initially emotional, thinking only about myself and the pain I would experience if he were to pass. I am glad that the Lord help turn my heart back to Him.
This experience also allowed me to see the faith of his wife. We contacted each other throughout the incident and were able to lift each other with our faith.
I also had my wife call me back to what I believe. She continued to tell me to focus on the Lord.
I also saw the faith and support of my church and friends who prayed for my father through the whole thing. I felt the prayers; I felt the love.
“Trust in the Lord always.”
This is not a suggestion; this is a command.
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. ‘ Proverbs 3:5-6
“Do not depend on your own understanding.”
My understanding is, generally, worry, anxiety, and depression. These emotions do not serve God in any way.
“Worry” takes my ability to be present with those around me who need me.
“Anxiety” takes me beyond the present to the future, which I have no control over.
“Depression” takes me to the past, mainly focused on past failures, again not a place I have any control over.
‘Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.’ 1 Corinthians 13:13
When I focus on the Lord, I meditate on God’s Word and start to think about His Word. I begin thinking about the wisdom of the Lord and His Words.
“Faith” that the Lord has this well in hand. “Faith” that the Lord has forgiven my sins from the past. “As far as the east is to the west.”
‘No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. ‘ Philippians 3:13-14
“Hope” that the Lord is coming soon and that I don’t have to fear the future no matter what it brings me.
‘Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” ‘ Hebrews 13:5-6
I love it!! “I will NEVER fail you. I will NEVER abandon you.” Praise the Lord!! 🙏❤️
“Love” – in the KJV version of this verse says, “Charity.” Charity is “love” in action. Love can only be in the present moment. Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for one’s friends.” John 15:13
As we experience the emotional challenges in our lives, let’s start to bring these to the Lord sooner than later. When we refocus our minds on the promises of God, He will restore His peace in our hearts.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace, mercy, forgiveness, and peace.
I pray that You will help me to refocus myself in times of challenge to You sooner. I know that I can only find peace in Your will.
I thank You for the lesson You teach me during the challenges in my life.
I thank You for bringing my father through this medical situation, and I pray for his continued healing and increased faith and hope in You.
I thank You for helping me see the faith and hope in those who prayed for my father, the faith and hope I experienced with his wife, and my wonderful wife.
I love You.
I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Name above all names, Amen!! 🙏❤️
