Kept in Peace

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you" (Isa. 26:3, ESV).

What does it mean to be kept "in perfect peace"?  The term perfect is clear enough to understand.  It means that it is a full and flawless peace, it is utterly complete.  But what is peace?  The term translated "peace" in this passage is the Hebrew word, "shalom."  Strong's concordance says it is often translated as peace, but can include the ideas of prosperity, health, well-being, rest, safety, etc.

Peace is the state of existence where the individual is living within the context of a relationship with God where animosity is no longer present.  To be at peace with God means that we no longer abide under his wrath.  His anger towards our sin has been erased, through Jesus' death and resurrection, and now he is free to look upon us in favor.  Therefore, this peace with God affects the whole of our life. 

Again I ask, what does it mean to be kept in perfect peace?  It means that we are favored by God.  His loving grace rests upon us.  Because he favors us, we are preserved from his wrath.  This promise, spoken through Isaiah, comes in the context of judgment.  The city (most likely Jerusalem) is about to be left in ruins, and the inhabitants humbled.  However, the righteous have found a refuge, a strong city.  Salvation had become their impregnable fortress.  When his judgment is poured out on the wicked, God shields his people.

So then, who are his people?  His people are those whose minds are stayed on him.  That is, God's people are the ones who prove loyal to the end.  They have fixed their hopes on the Lord, and trust him to see them through.  Because they trust him, the Lord will not let them down.  He holds them, so they trust him.  As they trust them, he keeps them in perfect peace.  God's loyalty (steadfast love) generates loyalty (steadfast love) within his people.

Do you have peace with God?  Is your mind "stayed" on Jesus Christ?  Are you continuing to place you trust in Jesus as the sole source of your hope and righteousness?

Glory That Brings Peace

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:37, ESV).

This verse reminds us of two important truths that come through the Christmas story.  Although the message of Christmas is richly textured and multifaceted, we will only look at the two that are expressed in this verse.  The first truth is that God is highly glorified because of Christ's coming.  The second truth is that peace is available to those the Lord favors.

As the angels are singing their heavenly chorus,  their primary concern is proclaim the glory of the Creator.  He who spoke the world into existence, had come down to rescue the fallen image bearers.  The God Most High had come to dwell among the lowly, fallen creatures who had rebelled against his rule.  This truth inspires awe among the heavenly host, and should leave us full of awe.

God has chosen to be most glorified through the process of redemption.  For his own purposes, he has chosen to demonstrate the greatness of his mercy by rescuing man from the penalty of sin.  This willingness on God's part means that now man can have peace with his Creator.

In the Christmas story, we see that God has chosen to glorify himself through the appearing of the Son in human flesh, and that that appearing has brought us peace.  Through faith in Christ Jesus, we can approach the Father in heaven.  We have access to his abundant mercy for all our needs.  Christmas means that God wants to glorify himself through rescuing sinners like me and you.  It means we can abide in his peace.  I hope and pray you are abiding in that peace this Christmas season.

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