Perfect Peace

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

— Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Perfect peace is not a dream or something that is just beyond reach. It is absolutely real and thoroughly attainable in the midst of any situation. Instead of drowning in fear, I can know and rest in His peace. Peace is born of trust in who God is and what He promises. It is discovered when my mind is trained to focus only on the truth of His Word—His unchanging and forgiving love, His faithfulness, His power, and His promise. He carries me safely through, and often above the worst circumstance or pain. I don't have to be anxious about anything when I give all of my fear to God. If I dwell only on my circumstance, I don't allow God to handle what I can't handle. I try to control what I am unable to control, and fear consumes me. Instead of dwelling on my circumstance or my pain, I can train my mind to think on His truth that I can do all things with His strength, and that He will supply all my needs. If I trust the Lord and give Him the fear that consumes my mind, I can receive His peace.

My human mind can't comprehend or reason His peace. It just comes when my mind continually dwells on His Word, and His perfect unchanging faithfulness to me. Trust blossoms as I lay more and more on His altar in my times of need. As I train my mind to dwell on Him, I capture thoughts that destroy trust, and pull down strongholds which fear has wrought. I reach a place of trust where nothing can destroy the peace that He promises. This doesn't mean that I “feel” right about everything. It means that I “know” He is taking care of everything no matter how I “feel”. My faith rests on the firm foundation of His Word, and not on the roller coaster ride of my emotions. When my mind remains consistently fixed upon Him, I “know” His peace.

His perfect peace is absolutely real. It is that place where the thoughts of my mind are made new by His Spirit, and where I receive His perfectly sufficient grace over and over again. His peace is my place of safety where nothing can steal or destroy my faith in His love for me. I can say without hesitation: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him” (Psalm 91:1-2, NLT).

©2017 Lynn Lacher

Because He Loves Me

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

—Psalm 91:14-16 NIV

            Psalm 91 is an incredible psalm of God's protection. One of my friends has memorized this whole psalm to encourage herself when she faces fear of the unknown or something that she knows is coming against her. She has the assurance that He is not only with her, but that He will rescue her. The last two verses of this psalm offer great promise. If you are going through a difficult time that overwhelms your heart, read these verses over and over until they penetrate your mind and spirit.

            “Because He loves me” is the whole basis for His loving protection. It is the whole basis for who He is. God is love. Often when in torment or fear, we forget this fact. If you know Him and He is Lord of your life, He will protect you because he loves you! He will keep you safe. When you face harm or pain or terror, you can call on Him. You can pray and lay your fear on His altar, and He answers with His loving assurance that no matter what might come against you, it will not prevail.  When you face trouble, you are not alone. He is with you. He is not only with you. He carries you safely through what you can’t handle. He delivers you from the worst that might happen. You may feel that you are going through a hardship alone. You have no peace. At such times you haven't kept your thoughts on Him, but on your problem. When you keep your mind on Him and His faithfulness, He will keep you in His peace no matter what you face.

Today, whatever might come against you or whatever lie the enemy might send your way, know God loves you. You can believe Him. He is greater than anything else in your life. He loves you with His perfect love. He satisfies your soul all the days that you live, and reveals to you the joy of your salvation. If you love Him with all of your being, you receive with joy and thanksgiving all the love that He is!

©2017 Lynn Lacher

           

           

Free

He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.

—Psalm 23:2b-3a NKJV

When life rages I feel you beckoning me to quiet. You call me from that place which tears my heart to shreds. You call me gently, but firmly, away from my own self-destruction.  I have craved peace. I have longed for its escape, but I could never find it in the midst of my pain. I could never find it in the rush of endless emotion. Fear rises to threaten—to drown me in its swirling vortex—to starve my very soul. Yet the allure of your presence never lessens, but entices my body, mind, and spirit to come to you. I’m drawn to your stillness—to your place of rest. I allow you to lead me beside your still water. Your quietness encompasses me. I feel your presence pulling me away from my harried existence. Tentatively I reach for your promise. Your promise is great, but my faith is lacking. I still reach. I still believe. I hold on because you promise joy. You promise peace. In the stillness I find you. You breathe your own life into my dry bones. The things which have owned my life are no more. Even if I tried I couldn’t remember their worry—their fear—their despair. In this quiet moment where my spirit and your spirit are as one, I’m comforted—I’m filled—I’m lifted—I’m healed—I’m renewed. You restore my soul. Only you are here with me and in me. Nothing more. Nothing less. I am free.

©2017 Lynn Lacher