Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.… In considering the great event of the Saviour's first advent, there is one circumstance of which we should never lose sight — the peculiar character in which He then came to earth. He was pleased to veil His more awful attributes behind His humanity; and, instead of showing Himself as our future Judge, to reveal Himself as our "Prince of Peace." Hence this is the peculiar characteristic of the Gospel, that in looking to it the sinner finds it to be a message of peace. And not only this, but he finds, as he proceeds in the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, that whilst glory is the prospect which it holds out for eternity, in time it corresponds with what might well be called the Redeemer's dying legacy to His Church: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: no as the world giveth, give I unto you." I. WHAT IS MEANT BY HAVING OUR MIND STAYED ON GOD? Nothing is more evident than the fact that man always needs someone on whom to lean. But there are cases in which it must appear peculiarly necessary to stay our minds on the Lord, because there are cases in which man can absolutely do nothing to help us. Look at the various sorrows, the various doubts, the various fears by which we are liable to be assailed, and say whether any but a Divine power can assist us there. Our natural state being enmity with God, we are, whilst still unconverted, more inclined to forget Him or flee from Him, than to draw near to Him and depend on Him for assistance or protection. But the believer has been led by the Holy Spirit to see how ruinous is his alienation from God. He has therefore turned to the God against whom he had sinned; he has entrusted himself to the mercy and faithfulness of God; and, having done so, he feels that it is a little matter to trust to Him for support and comfort in that conflict here, which a few years or hours may change into the triumphs of eternity. The more advanced he is, the more humble will he be; and in the hour of trial, instead of depending on his former attainments, or looking to be upheld by his past experience, he will continue, at each fresh assault of his enemy, to look for strength according to his day. II. THE BLESSING PROMISED TO HIM WHOSE MIND IS THUS STAYED ON THE LORD. "Perfect peace." 1. Peace with God (Romans 5:1). 2. Peace of conscience. 3. Peace with the world.I do not say that the world has peace with him. But the Christian has received the spirit of gentleness and love. (R. M. Kyle, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.WEB: You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. |
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