An expanded form of this verse reads, “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.” Here we see plainly that where we choose our mind to focus is directly related to the measure of peace we will know in our lives. If we have our mind stayed, fixed on, or residing in the Lord, we are assured through this Word of absolute continuous peace. It is like the pendulum of a clock; if we choose to side with the Spirit of God, or swing over to the flesh with the cares of this world. It is a constant personal choice.
Psalm 37: 3: says, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. So here we see that an act of deliberate cultivation is in play for establishing faithfulness; so it is with peace. Psalm 16: 7 – 9 + 11: says, “I will bless the Lord Who has counseled me; Indeed my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh will also dwell securely.
Psalm 4: 8: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety.” No one else has the power to give us peace, except the Prince of Peace Jesus, and no one has the power to take it away, when once He has given it. Psalm 34: 14: says, “Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it.” Psalm 85: 8: says, “I will hear what he Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly.” Psalm 29: 11: says, “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” How privileged we are as the people of God!
Jesus says in John 14: 27: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” Again we see that Jesus gives us His peace, but with a commandment (not a suggestion), not to be troubled, or to fear.
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You so very much for allowing us the privilege of all the gifts You lavish on those who draw near to You for Salvation. Come by Your Holy Spirit, and fill us afresh with a determination to have our minds continually stayed on Thee, that we may reap the overwhelming benefits of peace. Glory to You alone!
