Isaiah 26:3 (NASB)
The steadfast in mind Thou will give perfect peace
because he trusts in Thee.
The Navigators Topical
Memory System uses this verse as the primary verse on peace to memorize. Three questions to think about from this
passage:
· Who is the “steadfast in mind”?
· What is “perfect peace”?
· What is “trusts in Thee”?
What comes to your mind when you think of “steadfast”? Who comes to mind when you think of those you
know who exhibit steadfastness? The
Amplified Bible uses the phrase “mind [both its inclination and its character]
is stayed on You” to describe the steadfast in mind. It is a mind that stands on the Word of God,
not on its own nature that is inherently unstable. The steadfast in mind is a person who has
accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord through whom our very nature has
been changed (II Corinthians 5:17).
Steadfastness is NOT rigidity or narrowness or inflexibility. It is remaining true to the teachings of Scripture
and having faith and trust in God. For
other Biblical teaching about being steadfast of mind and heart, look up Psalm
57:7, I Corinthians 15:58, and Hebrews 6:19).
Perfect peace means peace originating from God through Christ. The Hebrew word “perfect” means “full” or
“complete”. Jesus used the same meaning
of the word in Matthew 5:48 “You are to be perfect (complete) just as your
Father in heaven is perfect”. Perfect
peace is complete, there’s nothing more that you can do to add to it and such
peace is all you need.
Who receives perfect peace? The
steadfast in mind. Why? Because the steadfast in mind trusts in
God. He trusts that God knows best, that
His Word is perfect, and that He is in control of all things. Our finite minds, senses, and experiences
cannot see God and all that He does, but we believe in His Word and trust that
it is true. Who might you know who
exhibits this kind of trust, this kind of steadfastness? Realize that to others you can serve as this
example.
St. Francis of Assisi is commonly
credited, although his authorship cannot be proven, with this wonderful and
well-known quote that summarizes the meaning of a steadfast mind having perfect
peace:
Lord, make me an instrument
of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me
sow love; Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness,
light; Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Meditate on these words and enjoy the perfect peace of God Almighty in
your life forever.
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