Kept in Peace

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

The world’s version of peace is far from God’s perspective. It assumes that everything must go right for peace to exist. The term perfect peace is derived from the Hebrew word shalom, which means more than just the absence of conflict. Shalom signifies a state of completeness, safety, wellness, happiness, friendliness, and prosperity.

God promises His peace to those whose minds are stayed on Him. That means consistently and intentionally directing our thoughts toward God. It involves meditating on His word, reflecting on His character, and trusting in His promises.

An old saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” When you do not purposely and proactively pursue God's thoughts, you open a door to the enemy. When you watch movies and participate in social media and any other form of entertainment, you should know that you are being bombarded with messages that are against God's way of doing things. We must learn to be selective about what we allow into our minds and to actively reject anything that leads us away from the truth of God’s Word.

Make sure that you spend time each day reading and meditating on Scripture. Let God’s promises and truths saturate your mind. Doing this will help God’s thoughts defeat any of the thoughts of the enemy that show up.

Practical Application

Guard carefully what you allow into your mind. Avoid media and entertainment that promote negative or sinful thoughts. Instead, fill your mind with God’s Word and positive, uplifting content.

Isaiah 57:19; Philippians 4:8

Hope that Doesn’t Disappoint

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)

Satan is trying to steal your hope and replace it with fear, strife, and unbelief. But those are not your thoughts, and those thoughts did not come from God. The enemy is trying to get you to buy into his agenda. If you continue to think that way and dwell on those thoughts, you will find yourself constantly living in disappointment and depression.

Paul wrote this powerful phrase to the Christians in Rome: “Hope maketh not ashamed.” In other words, Godly hope will not disappoint you. Hope is not just wishful thinking; it is centering your emotions, thoughts, and words on the expectation that God’s promises will appear in your life.  Bible hope will sustain us through trials and challenges because it is centered on the understanding that God is faithful and His promises are true. Bible hope isn’t based on changing circumstances; it is hopeful in knowing the character of God, who promises us that His plans for us are for good and not evil.

Paul continued writing, stating that our hope will not disappoint because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. Paul described an overflowing, abundant love that fills every part of our being. The Holy Spirit, given to us as a gift from God, pours God’s love into our hearts. That means that we can love beyond our natural proficiency. God’s love is transformative and changes how we think, feel, and act toward Him and others.

Practical Application

Reject negative thoughts and replace them with meditating about how much God loves you. Allow His love to flow through you today toward others. It will give you hope when you are going through difficult moments. Make it a point to be a conduit of God's love as you engage with people. 

Hebrews 10:23; 1 John 4:19

Real Love

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

A song written a while back said, “I want to know what love is.” The world around us is constantly seeking to know love. People get into numerous relationships trying to find it. They design their lives around getting more of it. The best way to learn about love is to ask the One who is Love; “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

The Apostle Paul wrote a detailed definition of what it looks like to truly love others. The phrase charity suffereth long and is kind highlights two foundational aspects of love: patience and kindness. Patience, or long-suffering, means enduring difficult situations and people without becoming angry or upset. It means that when we love, we are also willing to bear with other’s faults and shortcomings. On the other hand, kindness is about actively seeking to do good to others, showing compassion, and being considerate in our actions and words.

Paul continued his in-depth description, saying that love does not envy. Envy is the opposite of love because it resents the blessings that come into other people’s lives. True love does not boast or seek to draw attention to itself. It is not arrogant or prideful but humble and modest. Godly humility allows us to celebrate others' achievements without feeling threatened. Real maturity is found in how you react when favor finds your friend before it shows up for you.

Practical Application

Be patient with others, especially in difficult situations. Show God's love through kindness in your actions and words, offering help and encouragement whenever possible. 

Philippians 2:4; Galatians 6:2