“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” – Isaiah 26:3
Of all of the wiles that Satan uses to damage and paralyze God’s people, to distract us and try to keep us head down and feet frozen in fear, instead of head up in peace, confidence, and courage for Christ as we press forward for His crown and covenant, worry is one of his primary weapons. As Satan plants those bad seeds among the wheat, seeking to infiltrate, harm, and destroy Christ’s bride from the inside out, so too we’re well aware that his inside out destruction tactics are real in the hearts and minds of each member therein. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- the battlefield of the mind is the place where much spiritual warfare resides. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Romans 12:2)
Satan loves to attempt to constrict and constrain our focus to the “What ifs”. As doubt fuels worry, just like he did in the garden, so he whispers to you today- “Did God really say…?”, “Can you really trust Him?”, “Is He really in control of this?”, “Is He really allowing this for your good?”, intimating God isn’t. The Devil whispers such things instead of proclaiming the truth of His Word to you, “Thus says the Lord” (Haggai 1:5), “Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27), “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5), “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), etc.. Many all too often take the bait, choosing to doubt God rather than trusting Him. Can you relate? Never forget that worry robs you of peace. In many ways, it’s a thief that steals your joy.
Yet, there is no situation in our lives where we have legitimate reason to be anxious. Though we be tempted, we must not dwell in the place, in the mindset that believes we do. We live Coram Deo, before the face of God, each and every day. As He is with us, guiding and leading us, pouring out the riches of His grace on us in Christ, as He provides for every need, our gaze in our times of need always need to be upward, not inward. Our mouths need to be open in prayer casting our burdens upon Him (Psalm 55:22), not shut with doubt and fear swirling in our heads.
Therefore, endeavor to study and live with your mind stayed, or lit. with it resting and relying for stability and strength on Christ. Live according to the command and instruction of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Notice as Isaiah prophesies the song that would be sung in Judah including the declaration of God’s keeping one in perfect peace being a blessing due to their stayed mind built upon trust, Paul’s instruction to us in verse 6 provides a needed pattern of prayer and verse 7 provides a promised answer and blessing when we pray. Write this pattern down, put it in your wallet, post it in your house. As we’re called to lift our prayers to God in adoration and confession, we’re also called to lift our petitions within the context of thanksgiving. This is so important as doing so both rightly frames our prayer, as well as rightly frames our hearts and minds in prayer. We bring our supplications after having been thankful for His mercies and good providence.
Beloved, with the persons, power, and work of the triune and living God in center focus, we’re mindful that we’re not in bondage to worry. You have been set free and have great peace in Christ. Worry loses its grip on the heart and diminishes in the mind of the one whom the peace of God dwells in and guards. We don’t and can’t fully understand the presence and rule of peace in the once anxious heart. Thus, the wonder and beauty of the work of the Spirit of Christ! He does the unexpected in perfection, as a stayed mind is the glorious fruit of one that trusts Him.
Some of you may wonder- “Pastor, how can I better understand the guarding of such divine peace through Christ? I wrestle with worry so often.” As you are faithful in seeking the Lord in your times of struggle, He promises the gift of peace that passes understanding. John Calvin describes this peace well as he writes, “…nothing is more foreign to the human mind, than in the depth of despair to exercise, nevertheless, a feeling of hope, in the depth of poverty to see opulence [great wealth], and in the depth of weakness to keep from giving way, and, in fine, to promise ourselves that nothing will be wanting to us when we are left destitute of all things; and all this in the grace of God alone, which is not itself known otherwise than through the word, and the inward earnest of the Spirit.” Praise God for this peace! Pray and keep praying, dear ones. God’s peace guards and strengthens you to trust Him and resist sin in the midst of your troubles so that you will rise above the temptations and not sink under them, turning back from God in sinful thoughts or desires.