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The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,Because he trusts in You.Trust in the LORD forever,For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.Isaiah 26:3-4
I love the comfort of these verses from Isaiah, but one thing that stands out to me is the condition in the first line of the passage, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace." Isaiah is simply reminding us that ONLY the ones who are staying true to God will have the peace He promises. That blessing is reserved solely for those who are right with Him - the ones who have not only obeyed His plan for salvation, but are continuing to obey Him and walk in Him. Reminds me of Ephesians 1:3,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ ..."
The only way we get the spiritual blessings is by being in Christ. And we can't be "in Christ" just by being a good person most of the time - that's not how God's plan of salvation works. And we can't be "in Christ" just by believing and getting baptized either - that's only part of the equation. The only way we will have the perfect peace Isaiah talks about, and the spiritual blessings mentioned by Paul, is by remaining steadfast. Getting in Christ and staying in Christ - "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58)
Those are some verses that encouraged me this morning. I hope they encourage you too! It's so easy to get into our everyday ruts of living, and either grow so complacent with or so discouraged by our surroundings that one day we wake up and realize we are no longer steadfast of mind, and maybe haven't been in a long time. And God does not promise us His peace if we're in that condition! He wants passionate, determined, zealous workers for truth and He won't take anything less than full commitment. That scares me. And it motivates me. Here's to being steadfast of mind!
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Good thoughts. Your post made me think of Philippians 4:9 "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
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