You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV

     Perfect peace is not the absence of conflict, but rather it is peace in the mist of conflict.  How is it even possible to have peace in times of conflict?  In this day there seems to be so much conflict. If a person focuses upon the conflicts, they will loose the rest that comes from God’s perfect peace.  A person must remember where true peace comes from… Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.” John 14:27 ESV  Peace that comes from Jesus is peace in knowing and believing that He is God’s only Son and came into the world to set us free from the power of sin and death.

True and perfect peace only comes from God… 1 Corinthians 1:3… 2 Corinthians 1:2…Galatians 1:3….  Ephesians 1:2…. Philippians 1:2 ….. 2  Thessalonians 1:2…. Philemon 1:3…. In all the afore scripture references, this statement is made….  Grace to you and PEACE FROM GOD our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.  Throughout scripture we see that those who are of the faith are living in peace even when the world is in total chaos.  This is possible because they focus upon God and understand that he is sovereign over all things.  God is not simply watching the world go by but is actively involved in our lives.  You may not understand the why’s of events in your life; but when you trust God, He will give you peace.  What must we remember to have and keep this peace in our lives?

GOD KEEPS YOU IN PERFECT PEACE:

     God is the one who initiates peace in our lives.  This perfect peace will give rest to your soul, but one must come to the Lord to receive it.  Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 ESV  Many times I believe we lose peace when we are trying to be righteous in our own strength.  When we come to the Lord by grace, we can rest in perfect peace, for God is the one who saves us. We need not work at peace, for it is, as salvation, a gift from God. 

KEEP YOUR MIND ON GOD:     

     What dominates your mind is what will manifest itself in your life.  I teach often the fact that everything begins in the mind.  When we focus our minds upon God and his love for us, it will cause us to experience peace.  Satan is more than happy to cloud your mind with conflict, which can cause a person to doubt the ways of God, but the Holy Spirit reveals truth when you keep your mind upon God.  It is not bad to have questions, for in the asking of questions, we can learn.  Sometimes we learn that we don’t understand and need to simply have faith in God.  When you believe God is in control of all things, you live in His peace, trusting in this fact.  

TRUST IN THE LORD:

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV  When we trust in our own understanding, we can become overwhelmed; for we see only what is apparent to us.  God, however, sees and knows things from an eternal perspective and has a plan that ends perfectly.  When a person trust in himself instead of God, they are trusting in temporal things…. things that will pass away.  God is eternal and is an everlasting rock.  When we think of the hymn “Rock of Ages,” let us remember the lyric …Let me hide myself in thee.  

APPLICATION:  

    Remember that perfect peace is not the absence of conflict.  To keep your mind upon God,  you must remember His promises and words.  I will never leave nor forsake you.  Hebrews 13:5b ….. I am with you always, to the end of the age.  Matthew 28:20b……  Plant His word in your heart that it may take root and grow in your life.  Peace comes from walking with Him not just knowing about Him. Walk on purpose with him everyday.  Remember when walking with him you are walking with ….. THEPRINCE OF PEACE. Isaiah 9:6b ESV    

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David