These verses are fairly well known, so much so that I feel we tend to overlook them sometimes. Just because a verse is embedded in your mind does not diminish its power!
One important thing I have noticed recently is the word "mind" in verse 3.
Who will The Lord keep in perfect peace and give everlasting strength to? The one whose mind is stayed on Him. The man or woman who chooses to make their thoughts be focused on the things of God instead of the world. The one who has temptation come knocking and turns from it with the knowledge that to succumb would be to grieve the heart of a holy God. The one who keeps their thoughts from straying to places they should not go.
When all is said and done, where does every sin start? In the mind. You can't steal something before you think about stealing something. You can't lie without creating the lie in your mind first. You can't become bitter and angry at someone unless you first thought over your perceived wrongs from them and chose not to deal properly with the anger.
When your mind is stayed and fixed on the Most High, low thoughts have no place. When you are focused on the Holiest of the Holy, unholy thoughts can't enter. When you are trusting the One whose perfect compassion and love redeemed you from eternal death, how can hateful or unloving thoughts take root?
To the one whose mind is stayed on God, there is promised perfect peace. Freedom from turmoil and unrest. A place of refuge under the shadow of His mighty wings. There is also promised everlasting strength. Strength to fight against the temptation that pounds in from all sides. Strength to stand when others are falling into sin. Strength to walk in His footsteps even when the path becomes rough and jagged.
It takes faith and purpose of heart to keep our minds stayed on Jehovah. It's not something that will happen in one instant. But how worthwhile it is when more and more of our time is spent meditating on the things of God and on His Word, instead of filling our minds with the things of earth! How precious it is when the love of Christ begins to overshadow the temptations that come, giving us strength to endure and resist them! Is it not worth the effort? If we love Him, we should be keeping His commandments, and they are not grievous!
This week, I want to focus my heart and mind on the King who saved me, turning away from the chaos of a wicked world. I want to fight in the strength of The Lord against the temptation that will come. I want to reach out to the lost around me with love, knowing that in Christ lies the peace that they seek.
Will you join me?
Mykaela
A new post! Go, Mykaela!
ReplyDeleteWell... I opened this post in my email this morning, and I seriously entered a sudden and intense spiritual battle. Seriously. Wow. I had to tell the devil to get behind me multiple times. So powerful, dear. Thank you. <3
Aww, love you, K! Praying for strength and courage for you!! ❤️❤️❤️
DeleteConvicting! This is actually *one* of my favorite verses, even though I don't practice it like I should with allowing myself to get distracted and overwhelmed with other things! I don't know if you know it, but there's a hymn I love called "Like A River Glorious." The chorus says "Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed. Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest."
ReplyDeleteI do know that hymn, and it is one of my favorites!!!! So beautiful! I actually contemplated changing the title after I had already published the post. ;P Glad you liked it! <3
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