PODCAST
More Than Escaping
February 17th, 2015
Isaiah 26:1-11
The choir sang these beautiful words from Isaiah 26:3 as the benediction to every Sunday morning service: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Isaiah 26:3, KJV).” As a teenager who had begun attending the church, I knew little about the peace of which they sang. For me, peace equaled freedom from troubles. Yet, the peace which is promised in Isaiah 26:3, and throughout God’s Word, is far more than an escape from troubles.
The Hebrew word translated “stayed” or “steadfast” has the literal meaning of resting, laying, or leaning upon. The peace of God can rule in our hearts and create an environment of resting in Him in the midst of any conflict or difficulty. Furthermore, the Hebrew word shalom, “peace,” is used twice in the verse. It conveys the idea of perfect peace, or even of double peace. This brings us back again to dependency upon “the Lord of peace himself” (see 2 Thessalonians 3:16).
We cannot produce or keep peace ourselves. Instead of seeking for freedom from troubles, why not be thankful and just lean upon Him.
Author: John Juneman
