EVERYTHING WE NEED: Perfect Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, is the rock eternal” (Isa. 26:3-4 NIV1984).

We are starting a new year and have no idea what lies ahead. Wars and conflicts are constant in our world. Terror reigns everywhere — in our own country, our states, our cities and even in our own communities. Obviously, we will find no peace from those various directions.

Perfect peace is different. It does not hinge on what is going on in our world — here or abroad. It is not the calm feeling we get sitting quietly, reading a book, watching a beautiful sunset or observing the first snowfall of the season. We may indeed feel quite peaceful as we enjoy those wonderful moments, but they do not last. They do not give us the perfect peace to which Isaiah refers.

The Hebrew word for perfect peaceis “shalom shalom” — said twice to emphasize that it is not just peace but the best peace, like a double portion. It means to be whole or complete. It is everything we could ever hope to have, enjoy and experience in God.

Having perfect peace does not come from just going to church, saying grace at mealtimes or having one or two Bibles in your home. It goes way beyond that. Isaiah points out that one can only have and enjoy this state of perfect peace if one’s mind is steadfast upon the Lord. It is learning to trust Him regardless of surrounding circumstances. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6). Notice the words “with all your heart” and “in all your ways.” This mindset goes beyond just thinking about God when we are in trouble or even when something good happens to us. It is thinking about Him daily — at home, work and play. It is seeking to know and do His will. Someone said: “The perfect peace of God is much more than simply the absence of stress and anxiety; it’s a deep and abiding knowledge of being loved and cared for by God no matter what.” “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).There is that word “all” again. Again, it means whole, complete, total. We get distracted by the things going on in our lives. We take our focus off Jesus and put our attention on self or other things that take away the perfect peace we are promised. Such action can bring about depression, despair, worry and a whole list of other negative emotions. We must quickly refocus. “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:1-3).

A new year — 2025. Make it a priority to keep your mind steadfast on the Lord. Do you long for that perfect peace? Pray continually, read your Bible, attend church faithfully and be quick to praise God for all His blessings. Make Him the center of your life, and you will not only receive His promise but you will be kept in it. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matt. 24:37-38).