There’s a beautiful song of declaration found in Isaiah 26. I love it all, but I particularly love verse 3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Peace is a beautiful thing, right? It’s even more beautiful when it’s “perfect”.
You Bible scholars (if any happen to be reading this, and if so, WOW, thank you), know the word “perfect” used here is the same as the word “peace” in Hebrew. It literally reads, “You will keep him in shalom shalom…”
Some of you will also know that shalom means, “safe, well, happy, friendly; health, prosperity; completeness, soundness, welfare, quiet, tranquility.” My goodness, doesn’t that sound wonderful?
While it does sound wonderful, many live as if it could never be a reality for them. I, myself, know what it’s like to live in total opposite of the aforementioned. I know what anxiety, panic attacks, paralyzing fear, chronic illness, and constant heartbreak feel like. However, praise God, I also know what SHALOM feels like. And, I like that much better!
When Christ visited me in a very real, tangible way in June 2006, I was set free. It was the first night in years I remember laying down in true rest, and waking the next morning with true joy. While that encounter set me free, I had to make choices to remain free. I stepped into peace at that moment, but I had to continue stepping into peace daily.
I will never forget reading this very passage in Isaiah 26 just days after my 0606 Encounter (that’s what I call it – June 2006:)) with the Lord. The phrase, “…whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You,” seemed magnified and bolded on the page. The Lord was teaching me something. He wanted me to grab hold of this phrase and grab hold of my future.
I could break this phrase down from my studies, but for time’s sake, I will just say: KEEP YOUR MIND ON THE LORD. WHY? BECAUSE YOU TRUST IN HIM. Has He ever done anything for you? Have you ever experienced His love? Have you gone out and looked up to a beautiful sky? God is trustworthy. Trust the One who’s already done so much for you. Trust the One who loves you unconditionally. Trust the Creator of the universe. And, if you trust Him (the spiritual practice), your mind and thoughts will be on Him (the practical application). And, if your mind is continually on Him, then SHALOM SHALOM is yours! Why not double up?
I’ll gladly take double shalom, how about you?
{For a more in-depth look at peace, go to this article, written by my handsome husband. It is a wonderful read!}
