by Brandy Anderson
When I think of the word peace, so many songs and scriptures come to mind, but the first scripture is in Isaiah.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3
Let’s look at it in the Amplified Bible:
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].”
Whenever I read that passage, I think of a parent trying to calm a child who has been wronged or is a bit out of control. The parent grabs the child by the shoulders or holds her face in the palm of their hand and says “Look at me,” repeatedly as the child’s troubled mind and body wants to retaliate for some wrongdoing that occurred. Or maybe the child has been stimulated by too many things and genuinely can’t concentrate.
“But he/she/they did _____ to me!”
“This isn’t fair! You always stop me. You never stop THEM!”
“But I don’t want to be quiet/still/patient.”
If you have children in your family or work with them, I’m sure you could provide 20 more examples you’ve witnessed over the years.
Or maybe you can think of an instance where through the circumstances of life or a still small voice, God did (or is doing) the same with you. With so many things vying for our attention, perhaps God is saying something similar to us today.
“But don’t you see the foolishness that’s plaguing the church?”
“Aren’t you going to say something to the person that did me wrong?”
And like a loving parent who wants the best for his children, he’s saying “Look at me.”
Why should we look at him or look TO him? Because he is the source of the joy, reconciliation, retribution, provision, strength, love, faithfulness, peace and a host of other things we need.
Praying we’re all able to stay focused on him and find the peace we truly need.
