Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.… I. THE BLESSING HERE DESCRIBED. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace." We take it for granted that the prophet is referring to the blessings of the Gospel. Christ is called, by this same prophet, the Prince of Peace; and apart from Him, true peace of mind can never be attained. 1. The word peace at once suggests the cessation of hostilities. It is true there never was any hostility in the mind of God towards man. But when we look at the aspect of man towards God, we see him in an attitude of rebellion. It became necessary that some means should be adopted by which his enmity might be destroyed, and reconciliation affected. The wondrous plan, devised in the mind of God for the accomplishment of this purpose, was the sacrifice of His own dear Son, who thus became our Mediator between God and man. 2. The peace which God bestows arises not merely from a consciousness of pardon and restoration to the Divine favour, it springs further from the calming influence which He exerts on the mind by the transforming of the affections from things earthly to things heavenly. 3. But the peace which God bestows is a "perfect peace"; by which we understand peace, ever-flowing like a river, broad, deep, and calm, — peace, including all spiritual blessings, and available under every circumstance of Christian trial 4. Mark the expression, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace." It is not a mere transitory feeling, a sun flash on the storm presently to be lost behind the cloud, but an abiding principle, which God keeps for His people and in His people, that they may be preserved from dismay whatever may befall them. II. THE MEANS OF ATTAINING IT. Who is the happy possessor of this inestimable blessing of peace? He whose mind is stayed upon God, because he trusteth in Him. We cannot take a single step in religion without trust, or faith. As this trust is essential to the first acquirement of peace, so is it equally necessary to its continued possession. It is enjoyed only so long as the mind is "stayed" upon God. But all men have not peace; and some never will have peace. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." There is no peace to them who stay their minds on the world, on worldly objects and worldly pleasures. There is no peace to them who keep away from Christ. (W. J. Brock, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.WEB: You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. |
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