By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer
Ah, peace. What a priceless commodity these days. Isaiah 26:3 offers an equation for finding peace like no other.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.”
The old King James English may grate on your ears and if so, please look up different versions. But I use King James for this verse because it is the version I memorized years ago. It’s been in my mind and heart that way for the majority of my life, and that’s how it bobs to the surface of troubled water.
Today, we are surrounded by troubled waters, but water never kept God from doing anything.
He separated it during creation and gave it boundaries.
He stood it on end as the Hebrews left their captivity in Egypt.
He walked on it and told it to be still.
He turned it into wine.
Since He is the same “yesterday, today, and forever,” I think He can handle our troubled waters.
But can He handle our peace if we don’t let Him?
The equation within Isaiah 26:3 is simple:
Focus + Trust = Peace
Over the last few months, it’s been easy to focus on the troubled water. Therefore, I have been very picky about what I read and watch. I don’t want my mind to be “stayed” – focused or fixed on anything that will block my view of Jesus. God’s word and His faithfulness are what I want to feed on, and I do that by reading the Bible as I mentioned in last week’s blog post. I also read other good literature, including Christian fiction and books by C.S. Lewis and other inspirational authors. Many people enjoy listening to podcasts or audio books. All of these methods help us remember that we can trust Him.
I keep my radio tuned to a Christian, commercial-free station that plays “light” contemporary worship music intermingled with brief words of encouragement during the day. Sometimes when I’m working I have it turned down so low I can barely hear it. But it plays in the background, I know it’s there, and it gives me comfort.
God’s peace is my most valuable possession.
Yes, that sounds fairly radical, but where else do we find real and lasting peace when chaos is roaring around us?
As the equation above points out, peace is the result of trust and focus, yet how can we trust and focus on someone if we don’t know them? I want to know the Lord more and more. That’s why I carefully choose what goes in my eyes and ears because it always finds its way to my heart.
Is there any better time to know God and His peace than now?
~
What goes in my eyes and ears always finds its way to my heart. Share on X
A white pitcher of daisies brightened the sideboard, and a hand pump delivered icy water to the sink, not surprising so far from town. Ella had also spied the privy set back among the scrub oak. A more primitive atmosphere than what she was accustomed to—and with no electric lights. Oil lamps perched on sideboards, unneeded now in the bright sunshine pouring through the window.
Apparently, few modern comforts found their way to a mountain ranch, but a nearly tangible peace looped itself into her apron strings and snugged around her. ~A Change of Scenery
Inspirational Western Romance – where the hero is heroic.
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(c) 2021 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved.
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Well said! Totally agree!!!!! 😀
Thank you, Phylis.
Such true, wise words, Davalynn. I wish I could convince my 81 year old husband that his 24/7 approach to news is not good for anyone.
Thank you, Nanci. It’s a hard habit to break, easier if we replace the void with what is uplifting and life-giving.
Such true, wise words, Davalynn.
Thank you, Nanci.
Amen and Amen and Amen!
We should remember that God never changes. He has been faithful to believers throughout the ages.
We know what God’s plan is for us. He tells us in His Word!
We can get upset at things going on, but it’s best to pray for the situation and let God be God.
Yes, Karen. I’m so glad He doesn’t change. Everything else does in some way or another, but He remains faithful and true.