The Struggle Is Real, But the Choice Is Yours

Many of us struggle with the concept of peace, especially when you look around at what is happening in the world today. How can we have peace when people are mean to each other, when my finances are a wreck or when there is a health crisis?

Do we get confused because we often read Scripture through a human lens instead of what God intends? In Isaiah 26:3, God’s Word does promise “perfect peace” and that can feel amazing or confusing when we read that Scripture out of context.

As Christians, it is important for us to read and share Scripture as it was intended, in the context of the surrounding Scripture verses, the chapter it is in and even the totality of the book of the Bible. When we look at God’s Word as a complete package, we gain a better understanding of what He is trying to share with us. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at what God’s promise of perfect peace really says.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

When you look at the chapters before and after Isaiah 26, you will see they are talking about God’s dissatisfaction with people, their poor decisions and His impending judgment. But in Chapter 26, the tide changes, and praises are sung to the Lord from those who are surrounded by God’s salvation and who TRUST in Him!

Does this mean that, as a believer, you will never experience uncertainty, doubts or difficult times? Absolutely not! As a believer, we experience God’s perfect peace because of the gift He offers us through salvation. We experience God’s perfect peace when we trust in Him…even when it doesn’t match our circumstances or make sense.

Peace isn’t a wish granted automatically because we said “yes” to Jesus. Peace is a choice we make because we have said yes and choose to trust in Him and His ways! We have to choose to say, “I trust in You, no matter what!” I trust in You with my finances. I trust in You with my health. I trust in You with my child. I trust in You with my relationship. I trust in You with…

God’s Word reveals additional steps…beyond salvation and trust…that will help you to experience the fullness of His peace.

• Romans 12:1 – Worship Him by giving Him your everything: “And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
• Romans 12:2 – Allow God to transform you into a new person: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Pray and give it to God (NO STRINGS ATTACHED): “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. THEN you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
• Philippians 4:8-9 – Continually choose God-honoring thoughts: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and see me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

 
The choice is yours…what will you choose?

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3)

Throughout 2024, every Monday morning by 7:00 AM, we will post a new video from Pastor Shane or an article written by a member of our staff that connects to that month's featured promise. Learn more.