Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Previous chapters deal with the calamities that came on Babylon, Tyre and other nations as well as Judah. Chapter 25 is about the deliverance. Chapter 26 is the triumph. This chapter is a song of thanksgiving. I am glad that we have a holiday set aside for thanksgiving, but we ought not need one; every day should be one for us.
Peace of any kind in this world is illusive. There is turmoil in the world; it’s in America. It’s in Virginia. It’s here in Marion. I would never have envisioned some of the things we’ve seen lately. The economy is causing unrest. Unemployment is the highest it’s ever been. There is domestic unrest. Half of all marriages end in divorce. Children have no parental respect. We used to respond with “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am” when addressing parents. That just showed respect. There is social unrest. Society is split on everything from abortion to gay rights to the lottery and Black Lives Matter. Some even think we’re headed to another civil war. There is religious unrest. Many denominations have split. What I hate to see is the deadness in churches. I want to be in an alive church and worship God in a way that pleases him. There is political unrest. What this country needs is some morality instilled in it. There is military unrest. We see earthquakes and hurricanes. Why can’t people open their eyes and see that the Lord is soon coming back? Luke 21 says we will see Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
This is a disturbing time. Some handle stressful situations better than others. They will do just fine, but some fall apart. That is sometimes genetics in the sense of how they saw their parents deal with situations. I want to give you a couple of things concerning where you cannot find peace. It is sought from money. Some try to find happiness in the dollar. It always takes a little more to satisfy. If you cannot live within your means now, you’ll not live within it if you have more. I believe playing the lottery is wrong. There is just no peace in money. If we just learn to trust God we will have peace. In John 14:27 Jesus said Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The peace God offers is free; it cannot be bought with money.
Some seek peace from the world. This world is only materialistic. A new car is exciting, but the new wears out. We have something in the Lord that’s always new. Moses chose to suffer the afflictions with his people rather than the pleasures of sin for a season. He would have been the next Pharaoh or could exchange it for eternal values. He chose the people of God, having little here but all with God. The drunk can’t stay drunk. The drug addict can’t stay high. The immoral person can’t always keep going. The world didn’t give me what I have, so it can’t take it away.
Some seek peace from religion. There are people in churches today that are not saved. Religion doesn’t bring peace. Jesus does. In Galatians 5 we see that peace is listed in the fruit of the Spirit. That only comes after a person is saved. Remember the story of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee prayed thanking God he was not like extortioners, unjust, adulterers. He fasted and tithed. That’s all good, but he also looked at the publican near him and said he was glad he was not like him. He was full of pride and left empty. But the publican would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. The Bible says he went away justified because he humbled himself before God. Being morally good, many don’t see the need of Jesus. I don’t care how good you are; if you’re not saved you will not go to heaven.
Some think there is peace in worldly means. The story of the rich farmer in the Bible is an example. He had a large harvest but instead of building onto his barn he tore it down and built a greater barn. He said to himself Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But what happened? God said Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? The world is looking for peace, but it is not in the world.
You can have peace! You can pray and trust God or worry and fret yourself to death. I choose the first. I have peace in my heart. Philippians 4:19 says my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God’s not bankrupt. He’s still able to care for us. We can have peace about the future. This virus concerns me. The protests and riots cause us to stop and think. I don’t know what’s coming, but in Christ there is perfect peace. I know it will be all right. Danger may come, but God will be there. Trust him. Remember that footprints in the sand poem? God carries us when we can’t make it. This peace is about our salvation. We can have assurance of it. I know whom I have believed and that he’s able to keep me. I’m not talking about unconditional assurance. But you can only be saved one time. Sure we may have to repent many times of our sins we commit. We just go to God. You can know for certain you are saved. First John 5:13 says These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I know that I know that I know I’m saved! When the devil tries to cause you to doubt, remind him when it happened.
What goes on in the world doesn’t seem so big with Jesus in our hearts. It’s the best deal going: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 