This wonderful promise was given by God in the darkest period of Israel's history, so it may well prove to be a special help to us today, when we are surrounded by much gloom and depression and when we are constantly threatened with the three great enemies of doubt, fear and worry. When all is going well and the skies are bright it is easy to read a promise such as this in a very superficial way, but when clouds of trial, disappointment, anxiety and alarm drift across our sky and the sun is hidden, these words become very precious to us. There is no promise anywhere in the Word of God to suggest that while we are in our earthly bodies we shall experience freedom from trouble, war, trial, temptation, tears, anguish, loss, bereavement, etc., but something far better is promised: it is the promise of perfect peace in the midst of all these. Of what value would freedom from all these troubles be if we had no inward peace? Yet it is possible in the midst of the fiercest battle, and while the storm is at its height, for the trusting soul to experience perfect peace, inward peace, a deep down calm and a quiet confidence. Do you long to experience perfect peace?

1. NOTICE WHAT THIS GREAT BLESSING IS THAT IS OFFERED TO US.

It is described as "perfect peace". But what is perfect peace? Can we define it? Yes, it is a condition of freedom from disturbance within the soul. It is perfect harmony reigning within. The Hebrew word "Shalom" has in it the idea of soundness of health, so that to be filled with perfect peace is to be spiritually healthy and free from all discord within the soul. There is no room, nor can there be, for jealousy, envy, discontent, uncontrolled temper, selfishness, pride, intolerance, harsh criticism, fear or anxiety in the soul that is filled with peace, for all these things are disturbing factors in the heart. They are discordant notes. The peace which God offers, and which we by His grace may experience, is very practical. It is none other than a great calm which He commands. God calls the peace which He gives "perfect peace". In what sense is it perfect?

(i) IT IS PERFECT AS TO ITS QUALITY. That is to say, it is perfect in the kind of peace it is. There is an imperfect peace. There is the imperfect peace of Ignorance, when we imagine that all is going well, whereas in actual fact all is not well. There is the imperfect peace of Dependence, which is a peace that is dependent upon some thing or some person in this world. The "thing" may fail, the "person" may die - and where then is their peace? In contrast with these, God's peace is perfect.

(ii) IT IS PERFECT AS TO ITS QUANTITY. That is to say, the supply of it is sufficient and it exactly meets our need.

(iii) IT IS PERFECT AS TO ITS CONSTANCY. That is to say, it is permanent and not intermittent. The promise says, "You will KEEP…."

2. HOW DOES THIS PERFECT PEACE COME TO US?

(i) BY CHRIST JESUS. In Philippians 4:7 we notice that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source from Whom the peace of God flows into our souls. This peace is the possession of those who are resting on the finished work of Christ for salvation.

(ii) BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Lord Jesus Christ secured peace for us upon the cross of Calvary, and that peace is offered to us by Him as the source; but it is conveyed to our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit.

(iii) BY HIS WORD. Psalm l19:165 says "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." Here is a promise of perfect peace to those who love, meditate in and obey the Word of God.

(iv) BY PLENTY OF PRAYER AND PRAISE. Notice in Phillipians 4: 6,7, the promise of peace is preceded by the conditions of "prayer, petition and thanksgiving".

3. TWO SPECIAL CONDITIONS MUST BE MET IF WE WOULD EXPERIENCE PERFECT PEACE.

Who will God keep in perfect peace? The one "whose mind is steadfast", and the one who trusts" in God. Both these expressions denote faith, but one is a head word and one is a heart word. What is the difference? With our head we believe that God is the Author of peace, the giver of peace, and that He is able and willing to give us peace; and with the heart we trust Him to do it and we receive His peace by faith.

Perfect peace is the Lord Himself with us, not an experience, not a doctrine, not an "it", or a code of belief - but the Lord Himself; and when we are steadfast in keeping our minds and hearts focused on God, we will find "perfect peace and rest".

Grace and peace,


Floyd McPhee