Finding Peace in a Redeeming God

“You keep him in perfect peace
 whose mind is stayed on you,
 because he trusts in you.
 Trust in the LORD forever,
 for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” (ESV)

I love the promises found in Isaiah 26:3–4. They are truly comforting and words to hold fast to. In a world marked by anxiety, suffering, and exhaustion, we are invited into what scriptures calls perfect peace. This peace is more than temporary distraction and emotional denial. It is a deep, covenantal peace found in the unchanging character of God. Peace is not ultimately found in our circumstances, our strength, or our consistency. Peace is actually and only found in the redeeming God who sovereignly holds all things together.

At the center of it all, we see the truth that God Himself is the source of His people’s security. This peace that Isaiah describes is not disconnected from redemption. It flows directly from it. Because God saves, reigns and redeems, His people can rest, endure, and persevere. Our peace is secure because it is grounded in God’s sovereign grace rather than human effort. John Calvin wrote: “We cannot rely on God without having tranquility of mind.” That tranquility comes from knowing that the God who justifies sinners also sustains His saints.

The phrase “perfect peace” in Isaiah 26:3 is a Hebrew expression emphasizing fullness and completeness. This kind of peace is possible because God reconciles sinners to Himself. Through Christ, believers are no longer enemies of God but children welcomed into His presence. Romans 5:1 declares: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Before we experience this peace of God emotionally, we must first possess peace with God judicially, through the finished work of Christ which he accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection. As Christ followers, our understanding of redemption magnifies this reality. We are not saved because we reached for God first; we are saved because God graciously pursued us while we were dead in our sin. Charles Spurgeon once said: “I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.” This is the foundation of our peace. It is not the strength of our grip on God, but the strength of His grip on us. Something we should be very thankful for.

There is also a connection to peace when we have a mind that is “stayed” on God. When our minds' attention and our hearts' affections are pointed towards him we hold fast to his steadfastness, and declare our dependence upon him. Our lives are not sustained merely by occasional spiritual moments but by daily dependence upon the Lord. This is especially important in seasons of exhaustion, fear, grief, or uncertainty. A place that many of us have found ourselves recently. If you haven’t, be ready, it could be right around the corner. The beautiful thing is, we are not in despair. We have a God who sees us and hears us.

The believer’s strength is renewed not by looking inward but upward. Colossians 3:2 says: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace of God guards us because the God of peace holds us.

These articles follow our church-wide reading plan. Read with us!