By Robin Sam
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).
LOOK at how Isaiah 26 begins: ‘In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.”
Everything that man makes has an expiration date but Jerusalem, the city of God, does not have an end because it is founded by God Himself. Its gates will be open always so the righteous nation that keeps the truth will enter it.
Revelation 21:23-27 tells us that there will be neither the sun nor the moon in the City of God because the glory of God illuminated it and the Lamb is its light.
Of course, there are differences between the City of God mentioned in Isaiah 26 and Revelation 21 because the former is about the Millennial reign of the Lord while the latter is about the time after that where New Jerusalem descends down from Heaven. Isaiah 26 talks about the reign of the Messiah for 1000 years.
God offers all those who live in the Millennial reign peace. Isaiah calls it perfect peace because it comes from God who is perfect.
The peace that comes from God can be found in three levels: 1. Peace in the heart, 2. Peace in the land, and 3. Peace in the end.
Peace in the heart
Psalm 29:11 says: ‘The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.’
Oh, the Lord knows the heart is where we need peace first. When a man is washed by the blood of Jesus, he is reconciled with God. That’s the beginning of peace.
Apostle Paul tells us how Jesus brought about reconciliation between man and God. Colossians 1:20 says: ‘…and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.’ Read also Isaiah 53:5.
Peace in the land
Isaiah 32:18 says: ‘My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places…’
God blesses the saved with peace not only in the heart but also in their dwelling places. Look at the 17th verse. ‘The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.’
Peace in the land was an ancient promise to the Israelites. God had already promised Israelites peace in the land. ‘I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid’ (Leviticus 26:6).
Peace in the end
If you examine the life of Jacob, you will realize that he had more troubles than his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham. When a particular crisis seemed insurmountable, he told his children: ‘“My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.”
Jacob thought his life would end in a tragic manner but we know how his life ended. Read Genesis 49:33 with me. ‘And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.’
What a beautiful way to leave the earth!
Psalm 37:37 says: ‘Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.’
Jacob was not a blameless man nor was he upright in all his ways but he was a man who was reconciled with God.
God told Abraham how his life would end. ‘Now as for you, you shall [a]go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age’ (Genesis 15:15).
In the last chapter of Daniel, we see God outlining the remaining years of the prophet. After all the visions and prophecies concerning the last days were over, God told Daniel: ‘But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days’ (Daniel 12:13).
Those that trust in the Lord will have perfect peace – peace in the heart, peace in the land and peace in the end.
If you would like to possess this promise of perfect peace, here’s what God expects from you.
Walk with God
‘Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you’ (Job 22:21).
Do good
‘Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it’ (Psalm 34:14).
Love His Word
‘Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble’ (Psalm 119:165).
