Trusting God Brings Perfect Peace

The Shade

A few weeks ago I was in the backyard under the shade of a towering pecan—thinking. The contrast from previous weeks with their cooler temps and overcast skies made the shade a welcome refuge. Lingering under the canopy of youthful leaves provided relief from the piercing sun and stifling heat.

As I sat there enjoying the blissful respite I began considering shade. Then it dawned on me—shade is all grace. It is a refuge from the intense sun, a covering of coolness, and a place to rest. Immediately the thought of God’s Word being like shade came to mind.  

Mulling over the shade in relation to God’s Word stirred something within. Accessing whether or not this was a valid notion in light of scripture, assured me that shade is indeed, like grace. Ruminating on my own life, and how I have retreated to the shelter of God’s truth, bore witness as well.

Hot diggity dog! I love delightful discoveries—shade is like grace!

I immediately considered what specific scriptures provide a refuge of shade. Six verses quickly came to mind so I jotted them down. I knew there were plenty more, but there was still weeding to do and I could ponder while puttering in the yard. 

Trusting God—Grit or Grace

The first verse that came to mind was Jesus’ invitation for communion with Him including His delicious offer for soul rest in Matthew 11:28-30. (See the previous post, It’s hot out here!) Immediately following, Isaiah 26:3 surfaced. Not surprisingly, this cherished verse had been tried and tested over time. Well worn and embraced, this truth stabilized me regularly. When I found myself in the furnace of affliction or in those unnerving, catch-me-off-guard situations where I felt like the bottom dropped out from under me, this verse proved faithful.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

What an extravagant promise! Proving and living in the reality of this promise wrecked my life in the best possible way, but learning took time. Much time. It didn’t have to, but I am a slow learner. God is eternally patient.

By focusing on the trouble instead of the truth, I exacerbate the turbulence.

n. gibson

By focusing on the trouble instead of the truth, I exacerbate the turbulence. Ruminating on a present distress guarantees. . . more stress. Looking at the trouble means I am leaning away from Life by leaning on my own understanding. Then the dreadful looping starts. Anxiety amps up my creative thinking, fear joins the mayhem, the accuser of the brethren arrives with a boatload of oppression and I am sucked into the vortex of terror. There is no peace. 

Trusting God—Twist or Trust

In Isaiah 26:3 we are promised perfect peace—not transient but luxurious, abiding peace. Sounds delightful, right?

Peace is promised because we are trusting God instead of ourselves or anything or anyone else.

Trust is a big deal, it ranks right up there with faith which wholly pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6)

We will not turn to God unless we believe Him. But, when your guts are twisted and your mind is whirling because of anxiety it might be wise to try another way. Try God. Take a step of faith, a sheer act of obedience, and turn to God. Go to Him instead of continuing to twist out of control.

Let’s do a little review on why we can trust God, shall we?

But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his. Job 12:13 NLT

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.   Psalm 86:15 NLT

As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.     Psalm 18:30 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.   Psalm 46:1 ESV

Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. Psalm 54:5 NASB

Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God. Psalm 146:5  Holman Christian Standard Bible

As a loving father, God desires our good. We can be confident His will and His way are the best.

By turning to Him in our time of trouble, we acknowledge Him, His authority, and His ability.  Perpetual, perfect peace, is not only available but His design and desire for us.

Trusting God—Fixated or Fixed

Trusting God is like working out or developing any new habit—practice is required.  (Like working out or developing a new habit, trusting God requires practice.)

If we have honed the art of fixating on problems instead of humbly turning to God, we might find ourselves spiritually flabby—perhaps weak, when it comes to maintaining a peaceful heart. Resistance is guaranteed when we decide to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust God instead of indulging anxiety. Remember, resistance makes us stronger.

A few weeks ago I read Ann Voskamp’s wise assessment in her book, The Waymaker,  “The path of least resistance leads to the least life. It’s the narrow pathway of great resistance that leads to the great life.”  

A life of perfect peace is part of a great life! Whatever amount of work it takes to make this your present possession is nothing, compared to the richness of a life lived in perfect peace.   

“Sounds fabulous,” you say, “but how do I navigate the tumultuous tirade and get to that place of peace?”

Prayer brings us into conscious awareness of God. When I choose to look to the One who said, “Peace, be still” and the wind and the waves respond, I am coming to Peace Himself. We have to come to Him first, then trust Him with the process. If I can keep my mind fixed on Him, His promise, His goodness and care for me, I can see deliverance and experience peace. Declaring His faithfulness, recounting His attributes, and recalling other liberating truths can help as well, but we have to come to Him first.    

Trusting God—Taste and See

Life provides daily opportunities to give Isaiah 26:3 a whirl. Take it for a test drive the next time anxiety arrives. Instead of succumbing to the weak-kneed news, fear-inducing situation, or whatever peace-ravaging concern, turn to Truth. Cry out to God. Use Isaiah 26:3 friend, and discover the shade of grace found in God’s promise of perfect peace as we trust Him.

The key is taking whatever trial, test, temptation, or whatever is threatening to steal your peace, and learning to use that to turn to Truth. Consider the gritty or grating things in life as indicators or potential gateways to grace. When you recognize your peace is bumped, jarred, or shaken don’t try harder—turn.

Turn to the shade of peace instead of white-knuckling life. Turn to the Way who is the Truth and find the Peace that passes understanding. Yep, right in the middle of the majestic mess. Majestic because anything that draws us into communion with God and then allows us to see Him, know Him more, and see His promises played out in our lives is spectacular. 

Trust God—The Proof Is In The Promise

Isaiah 26:3 is a terrific treasure to possess. With this truth ready on your lips, because it is written on your heart, you will be prepared when the skirmish sparks. You may find yourself telling God, “I will fix my thoughts on You” or say “I trust You Lord” as you turn to the shade of God’s grace through His Word. 

And in due time, when God’s promised “perfect peace” becomes your present possession, in the midst of those searing moments, may you revel in God’s goodness and nearness. What could be better than knowing God, enjoying Him, and experiencing His realities?

Who doesn’t want perfect peace?