# 26 Keep perfect peace of mind

26. Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You. — 
Isaiah 26:3

I like the old King James Version for Isaiah 26:3-4: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trustest in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

Isaiah 26 was written by Isaiah for the land of Judah as a song of praise for the blessings of the Messiah’s kingdom (see v. 1). Among those blessings is perfect peace. Verses 3 and 4 go together beautifully and provide one of the most meaningful and memorable passages in the Old Testament. Notice how the verses proceed through these phrases and phases:

1. Perfect Peace. The original Hebrew says that God will keep in shâlom, shâlom those whose minds are stayed on Him. The word shâlom means more than a cessation of conflict. It conveys the idea of wholeness, quietness of spirit, safety, blessing, happiness of heart. The double use of the word multiplies its intensity. 
2. Stayed Minds. When we fix our thoughts on Jehovah, all other concerns shrink to the proper perspective. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.” Romans 8:6 talks about the mind-set of the Spirit, which is life and peace. We must manhandle anxious thoughts, turning them forcibly toward Christ and making our minds “stay” on Him.
3. Abiding Trust. In doing so, we trust Him more and more. Faith is the Bible’s great antidote to fear, and faith grows stronger as we focus it on Christ instead of on crises. We acknowledge the difficulty but keep our focus on the Deliverer.
4. Everlasting Strength. As we stay our minds on Him, trust Him, and experience His perfect peace, we find daily strength for daily needs. We have strength sufficient, strength eternally. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

Favorite Passage of the Hymnists

• Augustus Toplady was spurred to write the hymn, “Rock of Ages,” from the marginal note in verse 4, which calls God our “Rock of Ages.”
• The hymn, “Like a River Glorious,” says, “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest, / finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”
• Edward Bickersteth published a hymn that said: “Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? / The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.”
• Another beloved hymn adds, “O this full and perfect peace! / O this transport all divine! / In a love which cannot cease, / I am His and He is mine.”

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller ever day; perfect, yet it growing deeper all the way.—

Frances Ridley Havergal

 * 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart.