Tag: perfect peace
Day 2–Faith’s Perfect Peace
Scripture reading for March 10: Isaiah 26:2-4 “Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You will 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.”
It is our Lord’s desire as ‘Prince of Peace’ that we all enter into the righteous kingdom of heaven under His blessed Kingship. This peace is not just the absence of war or conflict. This peace is between us and God. The barrier of God’s wrath against sin is removed through faith in the One offering it. It comes as we choose to repent of running our own life and invite Jesus Christ to be Lord over our life. (Romans 3:24) This opens the Gate or Door, Who is Jesus Himself. (John 10:7) Trust grows as we develop a relationship with God that He promises will last forever.
The peace offered is called “perfect peace” by Isaiah. It is perfect in that all hostility between man and God ceases because Jesus Christ has satisfied God’s wrath against sin. We are declared ‘righteous’ through our faith in Christ’s sacrifice. Justice is satisfied and perfect peace abides as we fill our minds and hearts with God’s eternal truth. To stay in this peace, we fix our minds on Christ and meditate on His Word. As we do this day by day, God’s peace transforms our thinking, attitudes, and actions. People notice and can ask us how this can be. (1 Peter 3:15)
It is a great blessing when first responders enjoy the perfect peace coming from faith. We don’t earn this peace or work to make it evident. It is a gift from God that marks our lives and helps us daily to stay calm when others are at their worst. No matter what we face, this peace guards our hearts and minds and comforts those we help. (Philippians 4:7)
Prayer: Father God, I want to enter into the peace You offer. I have put my trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to daily choose to trust You. Fill me with this perfect peace that I may share that with those caught up in this world’s turmoil and conflict. Amen.
Father and example in the Gospel
Scripture reading for August 30th: Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, 1st Corinthians 4
1st Corinthians 4: 10-15 “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you, my beloved children.. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. I urge you then, be imitators of me.”
The early apostles were considered fools by the world and even by some in the church. Their lives were examples of sacrifice and hard work to meet their own needs and also to minister to others. By their ministry, many were saved and introduced into God’s family. This process caused Paul to consider them his spiritual ‘children’. Paul encouraged those in Corinth who had been saved under his ministry to follow his example and live unselfishly for the sake of Christ Jesus and His Gospel message. What the world thinks of us means nothing. Pleasing Christ by living by faith in faithfulness to His Word is all that truly matters.
Isaiah 26:1-3 “In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for those You called as the first Apostles. Thank You for their lives of sacrifice and their obedience to the Holy Spirit that inspires me today to live a life of sacrifice and dedication to You. Thank You for Your perfect peace given to those whose trust is in Christ Jesus. I look forward to the New Jerusalem and Christ’s reign as King of Kings! I am blessed You chose me!
Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your House, the holiness of Your Temple.”
Christ-like character in me!
Scripture reading for August 28th: Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, !st Corinthians 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 4:9-13 “For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”
Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth about his life as an apostle. He felt like he was on display and viewed by the world as a fool. He was physically weakened and buffeted by persecution and worked to supply his own needs. When reviled, he chose to bless. When persecuted, he patiently endured. When openly slandered, he humbly entreated. The world and even some in the church often do not understand Christ’s grace flowing through His appointed leaders as examples for them. In all this, Paul kept on correcting, blessing and encouraging others to follow Christ Jesus.
Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness your Your house, the holiness of Your temple!”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You for the examples of mature believers in Your Word and in the churches I have been a part of. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live a life of humility, peace, love and faith even when mistreated or slandered.
Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Breath on Me!
Scripture reading for October 4th: Isaiah 25-28, 2nd Timothy 3
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 3:14-17 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writing, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Paul told Timothy to hold fast to God’s sacred Word and profit by allowing it to make him wise for salvation. Not only that he was to use the Word to minister to others, equipping them for every good work. It is through the Word that we are brought into perfection and enjoy the peace of those taught by the Lord.
Isaiah 26:3-4 “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.”
Prayer: Lord, I trust in You today. You are my Rock. Your sacred Word equips me for every good work. Breath on me today. Amen.
Something to sing about!
Scripture reading for July 24th: Isaiah 24-27
Isaiah broke forth in a prophesy about the coming “day of the Lord”. This watchman of Israel warned the people of God to be ready for what would surely come. They would welcome it with singing and joy. (Isaiah 24:14-16) The people of earth without a knowledge of the Lord would face it with mourning and terror! (Isaiah 24:11-13)
Out of this vivid description of the terror of the lost comes bright rays of joy and hope for those of faith! Isaiah heard shouts of joy and acclaim for the glory and majesty of the Lord arising from the East and West! He heard singing coming from the islands of the sea and the ends of the earth! God would bring His people together from the nations with great joy in His presence! (Isaiah 24:14-16) God would reign in their midst on Mt. Zion! (Isaiah 24:23)
In Isaiah 25:1-4, Isaiah praised the Lord for the fulfillment of His Word! God had spoken out His plans from ancient times and suddenly brought them to pass! He would humble the proud and exalt his humble people! He would care for the poor and needy and defeat all their enemies! On the mountain of the Lord, Mt. Zion, God would destroy the shroud that enfolded all peoples and swallow up death! He would prepare a great banquet for His people! No wonder His people from the ends of the earth were singing!
These verses were quoted by the Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 15:50-57 to describe the resurrection body that would be given to each believer at the coming of Jesus Christ! They were also referred to by the Apostle John in his vision from the island of Patmos in Revelation 21:1-5 as he described the new heavens and new earth where believers would dwell with the Lord forever! There is also a reference in Revelation 19:6-9 as John describes the wedding supper of the Lamb! Whenever we receive Holy Communion, we are proclaiming His victory over death and our hope that great banquet!
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:3-4) Put your trust in Jesus Christ again today! He is our Rock eternal and Prince of Peace!
Perfect Peace!
Scripture reading for July 24th: Isaiah 24-27
“The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is thoroughly shaken. The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind: so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls–never to rise again. In that day the Lord will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below.” (Isaiah 24:19-21)
Isaiah expounded on the theme of judgment. He saw a day when the entire earth will be shaken and wobble. He saw a day when God Himself would act to bring punishment on the forces of darkness in the heavens as well as the wicked rulers of the earth. The cause of this judgment was the guilt of their rebellion. He had given them time and opportunity to repent, but their rebellion took them away from His grace and brought His wrath. Isaiah saw these wicked herded like prisoners into a dungeon for punishment.
“The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, before its elders, gloriously. O Lord, your are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your Name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned from long ago.” (Isaiah 24:23, 25:1)
In conjunction with this judgment on the earth, Isaiah also saw the Lord reigning in control of all from Mt. Zion! He saw the brightness of the Lord making the sun and moon dim by comparison. He saw a glorious kingdom brought into being according to plans made by God long ago and announced by His servants the prophets! God’s timing and power brought praise and exaltation from those who know Him!
“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:1-3)
A song on the lips of the redeemed and faithful is recorded by Isaiah. He hears singing from the ends of the earth, “Glory to the Righteous One”. (Isaiah 24:16) He hears praise for Mt. Zion and the wonderful salvation and eternal refuge it provides. Perfect peace is enjoyed by those resting in God!