Perfect Peace: Anchored to Christ the Solid Rock
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You. [Isaiah 26.3]
Do you ever long for peace of mind? Freedom from anxiety, fear, worry, and stress? Would you like to enjoy perfect peace? Can you even imagine what that is?
This verse contains a wonderful promise. A promise of peace that is without flaws, without disruption, and without end…perfect peace.
In That Day
The context will be helpful for understanding the magnitude of the promise.
Verse 1 begins with an introduction.
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: [Isaiah 26.1]
This is the third time Isaiah has used the phrase in that day in this section of his book (see Isaiah 24.21; 25.9). He will go on to use it four more times in the next chapter (Isaiah 27.1,2,12,13)
These uses parallel one another.
In Isaiah 26.1, the prophet speaks of the city of God with strong walls, but open gates.
In chapter 27.12,13 he speaks of the world-wide gathering of God’s people in the New Jerusalem.
So that’s the picture, the people of God gathered in the heavenly city in safety.
That day is the Day of the Lord, the final day of judgment spoken of by the prophets.
Walls of Salvation
The song that Isaiah prophecies begins with these words.
We have a strong city;
Go will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. [Isaiah 26.1]
Isaiah writes these words in Jerusalem, a city with walls and bulwarks. But a city that is questioning its strength to resist the Assyrian campaign.
Isaiah has already prophesied that it will stand, not because of the strength of its walls, but by the intervention of God.
He’s also prophesied that it will not stand against the coming Babylonian invasion.
Throughout human history there have been cities with massive walls for protection. But history also teaches us that the mightiest fortress built by man can fall, walls can be breached, gates burned, and citizens enslaved and exiled.
Physical security, no matter how imposing, is always temporary.
The security Isaiah writes of here is different.
God’s salvation and deliverance are the protective walls around His people, not stone and mortar.
The protective walls around the people of God are not constructed of dead stone, but the almighty, everlasting, never tiring salvation of God Himself.
Open Gates and the Righteous Nation
Open the gates,
That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. [Isaiah 26.2]
God appoints His salvation for the deliverance and protection of His people. But He also opens the gates of the city for them.
This isn’t a city built by man, but one built by God for man. This is the city of His deliverance, and He welcomes into it those He saves.
The righteous people who are faithful to the truth are the ones invited to enter in.
But… who among the children of men is righteous?
Quoting from Psalm 14, the Apostle Paul answers that question.
There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.
[Romans 3.10-12]
Who then can enter the City of God?
Only Jesus Christ the Righteous (I John 2.1).
And if any human is to enter in, it is only by means of Christ’s righteousness credited to us by faith.
…even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. [Romans 3.21-22]
Those who enter, are those who are justified by the righteousness of Christ, who is faithful and true.
The promise of perfect peace is affixed to the picture of the Celestial City.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You. [Isaiah 26.3]
The Lord will guard and preserve the one whose mind is stayed on Him. The word stayed means fixed, or secured to something for support. Imagine an anchor set into a solid rock or block of concrete for its foundation.
The idea is that the one who trusts himself to God for salvation, will enjoy perfect peace.
Perfect peace is a translation/interpretation of the Hebrew idiom: shalom shalom.
Elsewhere in Scripture the use of a word twice indicates purity and perfection.
Gold gold is interpreted as pure gold.
So to say shalom shalom, means pure or unblemished peace.
Gold gold is gold throughout with no imperfections or alloys.
Shalom shalom is peace that is pure through and through.
It’s a peace that is perfect and unshakable, flowing from the covenant faithfulness of God Himself.
It’s a peace that is not mixed with anxiety or fear. It’s not tainted with the impurity of doubt or stress.
It’s peace as pure and lovely and the purity of the holy God who gives it.
Those who fix their minds on Him will dwell in His pure shalom, secure in a safety that no earthly fortress can provide.
The Solid Rock
This promise is followed by an exhortation in verse 4.
Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. [Isaiah 26.4]
Put your confidence in Christ rather than earthly fortresses. Lean on His everlasting arms.
The last line of verse 4 is literally,
Because in YAH, YAHWEH, is the strength of an abiding rock.
This is where the phrase, Rock of Ages originates.
He is a rock. The Cornerstone of the foundation of faith in God. He can support your weight, the weight of your sin, your doubts, your fears and anxieties.
Trust Him. He will never fail. His strength is unequalled and unchanging.
Conclusion
God’s covenant people, united to Christ by faith, beneficiaries of His perfect righteousness, are welcomed into the security of God’s salvation, and may depend upon His strength no matter the circumstances they find themselves in.
By fixing our minds on Christ, we enjoy a peace that can’t be shaken because it’s anchored to the foundation Stone of Jesus Christ who is forever faithful and true.
The Heavenly City stands secure, not because of anything we have done, but because of the covenant faithfulness of God alone.
Morning: Meditate on Scripture
Begin your day by reading and reflecting on a passage that highlights God’s promises, such as Isaiah 26:3. Write the verse on a note card and take it with you to memorize, so that this promise can anchor your thoughts in Christ and steer your mind away from anxious patterns.
Midday: Pause and Pray
When stress or fear arises, pause and turn your thoughts to Jesus by reciting Isaiah 26.3 and offering short prayer. Thank God for His strength and the promise of salvation and peace. Ask Him to set you free from what troubles you and help you to trust in His unchanging Word.
Evening: Redirect Your Thoughts to Christ
Before bed, reflect on the goodness and grace of God to you that day. Thank Him for His blessing, and recite you memory verse once more to fix your mind on Christ’s unchanging peace as you rest.
Defining Theology: Brance and Lauren have a discussion of theology term heterodoxy.
Resources Mentioned:
2LCF (2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith)
Brance’s Sermon: Zion’s Great City
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