In the mad, hectic pace of today’s society and our Western culture, peace of mind, peace of heart and soul, and peace in our homes, let alone peace in the world, seems like wishful thinking, an illusion, a lofty goal yet one which can never be achieved. However, as we see in chapter 26 of our friend Robert J. Morgan’s book, One Hundred Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart, we have yet another Scripture – another promise from the word of God – to assure us that we can indeed obtain that which the human heart longs for – “perfect peace”. Here is Morgan’s discussion of Isaiah 26:3 which, in the old King James Version, states as follows: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. 

Isaiah 26 was written by Isaiah for the land of Judah as a song of praise for the blessings of the Messiah’s Kingdom (see v.1). Among those blessings is perfect peace. Verses 3 and 4 go together beautifully and provide one of the most meaningful and memorable passages in the Old Testament. Notice how the verses proceed through these phrases and phases:

1. Perfect peace. The original Hebrew says that God will keep in shalom, shalom those whose minds are stayed on Him. The word shalom means more than a cessation of conflict. It conveys the idea of wholeness, quietness of spirit, safety, blessing, happiness of heart. The double use of the word multiplies its intensity.

2. Stayed minds. When we fix our thoughts on Jehovah, all other concerns shrink to the proper perspective. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.” Romans 8:6 talks about the mindset of the spirit, which is life and peace. We must manhandle anxious thoughts, turning them forcibly towards Christ and making our minds “stay” on Him.

3. Abiding trust. In doing so, we trust Him more and more. Faith is the Bible’s great antidote to fear, and faith grows stronger as we focus it on Christ instead of on crisis. We acknowledge the difficulty but keep our focus on the Deliverer.

4. Everlasting strength. As we stay our minds on Him, trust Him, and experience His perfect peace, we find daily strength for daily needs. We have strength sufficient, strength eternally. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because He trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

Favorite passage of the hymnists:

  • August Toplady was spurred to write the hymn, “Rock of Ages” from the marginal note in verse 4, which calls God our “Rock of Ages”.
  • The hymn “Like a River Glorious” says, “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, / finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”
  • Edward Bickersteth published a hymn that said: “Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? / The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.”
  • Another beloved hymn adds, “O, this full and perfect peace! / O this transport all divine! / In a love which cannot cease, / I am His and He is mine.”

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day;

 Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

 – Frances Ridley Havergal

Morgan’s account ends there, but God’s perfect peace ... that peace that passes all our human understanding ... is ours for the asking ... or better still, is ours for the trusting.

Love,

John & Terri
Is. 26:3