Encouragement for Today

September 3, 2024 Perfect Peace Is Possible LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español

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

Looking to our feelings instead of Truth to steady our souls is dangerous ground.

I saw a vivid depiction of this several years ago when we remodeled our house. I invited a friend over and asked for his expert opinion. But when he started staring at the ceiling with a look of grave concern, I knew something was wrong. One of the major beams had been poorly repaired and wasn't able to provide enough support — a point proven by the sagging floor upstairs.

Seeing those broken boards barely hanging on, I felt like God was giving me a glimpse of the unstable places inside of me. It was a loving admonition to stop assessing His goodness based on how my life felt at any given moment.

Why? Because feelings are fragile props. Only Truth is solid, unchanging and stable. The beliefs we hold should hold us up even when life feels like it’s falling apart.

Which brings us to our key Bible passage for today. Isaiah 26 focuses on the strength God gives His people so they can accomplish His purposes.

First, we need to know that one of the keys to understanding Isaiah 24-27 is realizing that the prophet Isaiah was looking ahead to the end of all things. Isaiah knew while things may not look good right now, God promises us His plans are good. God is moving us toward that day when death will be swallowed up and He will wipe every tear from His people’s eyes (Isaiah 25:8). He has ordained our peace (Isaiah 26:12).

But we aren’t just promised peace in eternity. Isaiah tells us how we can experience and walk in strength and peace today:

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:3-4, ESV, emphasis added).

The Hebrew word for the phrase “stayed on” means “to brace, uphold, support.” In other words, those with minds fully braced, upheld and supported by trust in God and His Truth will be kept in perfect peace. This means an all-embracing peace. It comes from God, by the power of His indwelling Spirit, giving us the strength internally to face whatever comes our way externally.

This doesn’t mean that our circumstances will feel peaceful, that all our relationship troubles and hardships will suddenly get better, or that all the prayers we pray will suddenly get answered. But our minds can be steadied with God’s Truth instead of overrun with thoughts of fear, anxiety and worst-case scenarios.

The God who rescued David from Saul (1 Samuel 23), who split the Red Sea so the Israelites could safely pass through (Exodus 14), and who promised strength to His people through Isaiah is the same God you can trust with your life.

God is always doing more than you know, working toward a good you’ll one day rejoice in.

Dear Lord, help me to keep sight of Your goodness in the brokenness of this world. I realize I must keep my eyes fixed on You and the Truth of Your Word. Thank You for the peace You give me. I want my security to be found in You — my unchanging, undeniably good and unquestionably loving God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Not one of us gets to live this life unmarked by hurt. So not one of us gets to live this life without trust issues. Maybe a friend constantly lets you down. A leader or organization you respect turns out to be different than they portray themselves to be. A family member betrays you. And then you begin to wonder, If God let this happen, can He even be trusted? Lysa TerKeurst understands and wants to help you process these thoughts and feelings with her new book, I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t: Moving Forward When You’re Skeptical of Others, Afraid of What God Will Allow, and Doubtful of Your Own Discernment. Preorder the Proverbs 31 Ministries Exclusive Edition, and start reading today!

ENGAGE

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 29:11, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace” (NIV).

Where in your life do you need the strength of the Lord today? Where in your life do you need the peace of the Lord today?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2024 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.