Isaiah 26:3 - Peace That Surpasses All Understanding.
Isa.26:3: Peace That Surpasses All Understanding.
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Isa 26:3 (RSV) Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind
is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.
Isa 26:3 (NCV) You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend
on you, because they trust you.
Isa 26:3 (EAV) You will guard him and keep him in perfect and
constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is
stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and
hopes confidently in You.
Isa 26:3 (CWR) You, our God, will keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is centered on you and who puts his trust in you.
Isa.26:3 (Gibbs) God keeps him in perfect peace whose mind is
in union with Him through loving trust.
PERFECT PEACE
The Hebrew expression translated perfect peace is literally
"peace, peace"; [Nelson SB]
The word salom ("peace") is repeated, so conveying the idea that
this peace is perfect. [Expositors Bible Commentary]
Perfect peace. Lit., peace, peace; i.e., full, genuine
well-being. [Ryrie SB]
"Peace, peace," i. e., peace upon peace.... happiness in this
world and in the world to come. (Adam Clarke Commentary)
In perfect peace. Literally, "in peace, peace." Perfect peace
will be the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of God and it
may be the happy experience of God's children here. Perfect
submission to the will of God brings the blessing of perfect serenity...
Trouble and turmoil may surround us, yet we enjoy a calmness and peace
of mind of which the world knows nothing... The peace of the
Christian depends not upon peaceful conditions in the world about him but
upon the indwelling of the Spirit of God in his heart. [SDA
Commentary]
Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace, in perfect peace, inward
peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all
times, under all events; this peace shall he be put into, and kept in
the possession of, whose mind is stayed upon God, because it trusts
in him.... Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon
him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and
faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as
do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep
them. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
MIND
"Mind" was widely used in the rabbinic writings to express the
whole attitude and direction of one's life. [Expositors Bible
Commentary]
TRUST
People who trust in the LORD enjoy perfect (i.e., complete,
genuine) peace (cf. Phil. 4:7), [Bible Knowledge Commentary]
Perfect peace is one of God's gifts to those who trust in Him.
Confidence in God rules out fear and anxiety over lesser things. [Disciple
SB]
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
Isaiah predicted devastating judgments (24:1-23) which would
bring about the triumph of God (25:1-12). For the righteous, God's
triumph promises a resurrection (26:1-21). In His judgments God will
destroy oppressors and restore the blessings of the oppressed (v.
20-27:13). [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Isa. 26:1-21 "Your dead will live". Not even death can thwart
God's purposes. Isaiah looked ahead and saw a day when salvation's
song will be sung in Jerusalem (vv. 1-7). Yet his own day was one of
longing, not of fulfillment. "We wait for You," Isaiah sighed, and added,
"My soul yearns for You in the night; in the morning my spirit longs
for You." His yearning was great, because, even "though grace is
shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness" (vv. 8-10). You
and I may know Isaiah's frustration well. Yet we have the same
promise that gave Isaiah hope. Isaiah looked ahead, and knew that "Your
dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust,
wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning;
the earth will give birth to her dead" (v. 19). [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
26:1-21 The song of praise in Isaiah 26 will be sung by the
redeemed as they enjoy the blessings of the Messianic kingdom. [New Bible
Companion]
The LORD's People Praise Him for Salvation
You Keep Him in Perfect Peace (26:1-21)
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
Psalm 9:10 (KJV) And they that know thy name will put their
trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Isaiah 31:1 (KJV) Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help;
and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many;
and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not
unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!
Isaiah 57:19-21 (KJV) I create the fruit of the lips; Peace,
peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord;
and I will heal him. [20] But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. [21] There
is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (KJV) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the
Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. [8] For he shall be as a tree
planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,
and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and
shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from
yielding fruit.
John 14:27 (KJV) 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.
John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in
me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Romans 4:20, 21 (KJV) He staggered not at the promise of God
through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; [21] And
being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to
perform.
Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Philip. 4:7 (KJV) And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
`Peace, peace; ' the repetition of the word denoting, as is
usual in Hebrew, emphasis, and here evidently meaning undisturbed,
perfect peace. That is, the mind that has confidence in God shall not be
agitated by the trials to which it shall be subject; by persecution,
poverty, sickness, want, or bereavement. (Barnes' Notes)
We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but with God
we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. When we are devoted to
him, our whole attitude is steady and stable. Supported by God's
unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding
chaos (see Philip. 4:7). Do you want peace? Keep your thoughts on and
your trust in God. [Life Application SB]
It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are born from
above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led
Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be
seeking the highest place. We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus,
and learn of Him.... When our will is swallowed up in the will of God,
and we use His gifts to bless others, we shall find life's burden
light.... Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to
His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and
quietude.... As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We
respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we
begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God
through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and
still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God,
the more intense will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in
this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His
presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what is
this compared with the hereafter? DA330-2
While engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to
heaven in prayer. These silent petitions rise like incense before the
throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian whose heart is
thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome. No evil arts can destroy his
peace. All the promises of God's word, all the power of divine grace,
all the resources of Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance.
It was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was with him, a
present help in every time of need.... Prayer is the breath of the soul.
It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be
substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart
into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and strengthens
the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the
exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as
seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual
faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and
vigor. It is only at the altar of God that we can kindle our tapers
with divine fire. GW254-5
In our society older saints often feel they are not doing their
part. They can't help with the children; their bodies won't cooperate
to do certain physically hard work; they have difficultly hearing
or seeing; they feel like they can't contribute anymore. This idea
must be eradicated! If you are someone like this, or know someone
like this, consider Anna who was very old (Luke 2:36,37). She spent
her time worshiping, fasting and praying. Praying. And she was
shown the Savior, in answer to her prayers! Older saints today need to
be encouraged to pray and not be permitted to think they are second
class servants! Younger ones are not able to pray like Anna. God has
ordained His power be bent to earth to do His will, THROUGH PRAYER.
Encourage older saints in this manner. They are literally on the front
lines, bringing God's power to bear on the things of the earth. No one
else can render this service; encourage them! [In His Time; Walk With
Wisdom re Psa.34:15]
Often your mind may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try
to think. You know that Jesus loves you. He understands your
weakness. You may do His will by simply resting in His arms. {MH 251}
All you are expected to do is to rest in His love. Do not worry.
Jesus loves you, and now when you are weak and suffering, He holds you
in His arms, just as a loving father holds a little child. Trust in
Him in whom you have believed. Has He not loved and cared for you
all through your lifetime? Just rest in the precious promises given
you. {TDG 313}
The inhabitants of Judea had been borne to a far distant land.
They had been subjected to reproaches and to scorn ; had
been stripped of their property and honor; and had been reduced to
the condition of prisoners and captives. Yet their confidence in God
had not been shaken. They still trusted in him; still believed that
he could and would deliver them. Their mind was, therefore, kept in
entire peace. So it was with the Redeemer when he was persecuted and
maligned (<1 Pet. 2:23>; compare ). And so it has been with
tens of thousands of the confessors and martyrs, and of the
persecuted and afflicted people of God, who have been enabled to commit
their cause to him, and amidst the storms of persecution, and even in
the prison and at the stake, have been kept in perfect peace.
(Barnes' Notes)
Even death cannot thwart God's purposes. We live in hope,
because we know that if we should die before we see God's plan for this
earth achieved, He will raise us from the dead to share His triumph!
[The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
And help and grace sufficient for every circumstance are
promised by Him whose word is truth. His everlasting arms encircle the
soul that turns to Him for aid. In His care we may rest safely,
saying, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Ps. 56:3). {AG
21}
God can't give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because
there is no such thing. C. S. Lewis
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