Perfect Peace

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

No doubt peace is an elusive commodity in our day. There are few places in the world that we might suggest are truly peaceful. Although achieving world peace is spoken of constantly, with many solutions offered as to how it might be attained, it has never been fully realized. Everyone has an opinion, yet no one has achieved it. Our day is not that much different than what world history tells us about man’s quest for peace over the centuries. Man is forever seeking peace, yet always failing to find it.

Now in addition to our quest for peace among nations, it’s clear that men are constantly seeking inner peace as well. You be the judge as to how we are doing in that regard. The numbers are staggering as it relates to what the absence of inner peace does to men and to women. The mental health profession has never been busier than in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. We live in a world where peace between nations and peace in the heart is elusive. Why?

Well, in light of what the prophet Isaiah wrote, it appears that the answer as to why peace is not a reality is that men seek it in the wrong place. In other words, peace between nations and peace within the heart is not achievable unless men find it first in God. Take a look at the text of the passage above to see what I mean.

First, note who provides the peace spoken of in the passage. The word “you” refers to God. Thus it is God alone who provides peace. Second, note how God’s peace is quantified. His peace is “perfect” peace. Perfect means that there is no default or blemish attached to God’s peace. But note as well how such peace becomes available. It comes only as one directs his mind toward the Lord, as one trusts in God. That becomes the true key to achieving perfect peace. It comes as one focuses on the Lord and trusts him fully in all circumstances.

In that light, can you see why peace is unattainable among nations? In rebellion against God, the nations refuse to focus on the Lord and place their trust in him alone. The result is disharmony, destruction, discord, disagreement, dissension and disunity. On the other hand, the proper focus, a focus that places its trust in the right object, results in harmony, agreement, accord and “perfect peace” as Isaiah wrote.

This has very practical implications for those among us who yearn for peace. If that describes you, I would ask you to consider what you are focusing on and in whom you are trusting. To focus on anything other than the Lord or to trust in someone other than God will bring a lack of true and lasting peace. Perfect peace comes from having the right focus and the right object of trust. May we consider these thoughts as we seek peace.