Prophet Isaiah in one of his praises to God declares that God would keep those who receive His salvation in perfect peace because they will focus their minds and put their trust in the Lord. (Isaiah.26:3) Perfect peace implies a supernatural backbone which guards the heart and the mind that one is able to stand firm in Christ even during the trials of life. To be kept in perfect peace according to Isaiah’s declaration is conditional. The condition is to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith and trust appear to be the same, but they are not. Faith is the starting point. Faith is the assurance that God has the ability and the authority to do something He says He will do, while trust is the conviction that God will do what He says based on His faithful character, rather than requiring a proof. It is about believing and keeping one’s mind focused on God’s promise. Remember the three Hebrew boys, they trusted that God would deliver them from king Nebuchanezzar and concluded that even if God did not, they will not stop believing God’s supremacy. (Daniel.3:17, 18)

Jesus lays emphasis on faith no matter how small it is (Matt.17:20) Trusting God alone without foundation of faith is seen as empty effort. The bible says, “whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Rom.14:23b) To genuinely trust God is possible only because one has possessed faith. It is one’s faith in Christ that guarantees trust which gives one the privilege to be kept in perfect peace of the Lord. Many tends to trust God without faith in God, such trust is not genuine.

Our father of faith, Abraham demonstrated the supernatural backbone of someone whose focus is on the Lord when he obediently responded to God’s demand to sacrifices his only son, Isaac for Him. Abraham reasoned that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead in reference to God’s faithfulness to His promise. God had promised that His descendants would be established through Isaac. (Heb.11:17-19) Abraham reasoned positively because he trusted God’s promise and God’s faithfulness. His trust was guided by his faith. The supernatural backbone that guards his heart and mind enabled him to focus on God and was able to stand firm during the trial.

The Lord perfect peace is the supernatural backbone that empowers the mind to totally surrender to God’s will. A mind focused on the Lord is the one that is not anxious for nothing and does not worry about life because he trusts that the Lord is mindful of his daily needs. Knowing that God is mindful of his daily needs, he finds a work to do. He does his work diligently and trusts God to bless the work with confidence that the Lord is faithful and just to help those who keep their thought often on Him. He experiences breakthrough in his work as he continues to keep his though in the Lord so much that he is kept in perfect peace.

Dear brethren, someone whose focus is not on God is described as a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways who may not receive anything from the Lord. (James.1:7, 8) Therefore, to be kept in the Lord’s perfect peace requires that one find his joy, satisfaction and love in active relationship with the Lord through reading, meditating and obedience to God’s word. Also praying with thanksgiving rather than focusing one’s mind on worldly things.

May the Lord keep you in perfect peace in Jesus mighty name. Amen

Shalom

Evangelism It is only in Christ Jesus one can have supernatural backbone. Keep your focus on Him and share the truth with others.

Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre