“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4)
Just this morning I received an email from one of our very special friends, who sent us the verses written above, surrounded by a picture of flowers – – very peaceful and serene!
Most often people use words rather casually without giving any thought to their definition(s) or meaning(s). This also happens with words like “peace.” Have you ever given any thought as to what this word signifies?
When you come to the text of the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures), we find a fascinating occurrence of this word in Isaiah 26:3. The literal rendering of this phrase “perfect peace” reads “shalom, shalom.” You don’t have to know Hebrew (the language of the Old Testament) to immediately observe the double mention of “peace,” shalom” in this passage. In other words, and let me write it out as it literally reads: “You will keep him in peace, peace….”
So, what does this word speak of in the Old Testament – – what is its meaning? The basic definition or understanding of this term simply speaks of one’s total well-being. The big question, of course, is it possible to be well off in this world? Yes, it is! How then can that be? The next few words provide the answer: you must have your mind focused on the God of the Bible and place your full trust in Him and in Him alone! Then He will see to it that your heart (mind, emotions, and will) will be at rest in Him, even in this tumultuous world we live in! You will be well-off – – God will give you a double portion of peace!
Jesus put it this way, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled (agitated), neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27)! Do you want peace? You know what to do!
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