The horrors unfolding in Israel these past few days brought eve=
rything to mind EXCEPT the word “peace”. The biblical prophet I=
saiah, facing similar times of attack from enemies of God’s chosen pe=
ople, rested in the Lord, saying "You keep him in perfect peace whose =
mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3).
I wondered what “perfect” peace is (how is it different from=
regular peace?). So, read in the Bible’s inspired words “shalo=
m shalom” (in English, “peace peace”). Say what? In=
Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity. It isn’t just shalom=
; it is shalom shalom, peace doubled, peace perfected, or perfect=
peace. If one assurance is not enough, He will follow it with a second or =
more. And it is NOT “fleeting” peace and safety, as human gover=
nments try to give. But we are KEPT there in this “peace peace”=
=2E
Ou=
r minds must be stayed (settled upon, established upon) the Lord =
Himself. Oh, my spirit and soul and heart are settled . . . but tell that t=
o my brain! We are to love the Lord our God with all our mind (Matthew=
22:37) and transformed as His children by the renewing of our mind (R=
omans 12:2). We are NOT to set our mind on earthly things (Philippians=
3:19), but to set our mind on things above (Colossians=
3:2). The Christian life is not an unthinking life of just doing or&n=
bsp;experiencing, but it is also about thinking, and where we set our&=
nbsp;mind is essential in our walk before the Lord.
This “peace peac=
e” is to be our place to lean on and be sustained in the winds and wa=
rs of this world. Not just occasionally, but as a constant basis. Peace NOT=
in our self. Not in government. Not focused on our problems but focused fu=
lly on Him. On our God. The only source of our trust is in Him alone.
=
Edward Bick=
ersteth wrote a poem about “peace” 150 years ago (1873) in Harr=
ogate, England. Notice that the first line of each simple stanza is a quest=
ion, asking if we have this “perfect peace” during various chal=
lenging experiences in life. Then, the second line, he endeavors to give th=
e answer.
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus =
whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To d=
o the will of Jesus, this is rest.
&nbs=
p;
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging rou=
nd?
On Jesus bosom naught but calm is found.=
Peace=
, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
I=
n Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.
Peace, perfect peace, death shadowi=
ng us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.
Peace, perfect =
peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
It is e=
nough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus calls to heaven’s p=
erfect peace.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
"Jesus Knows Me, This I Lo=
ve!"