“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” Isaiah 26:3
When reading this particular old testament passage, I am reminded of the new testament account of the faith of Peter being tested by Jesus. Early one common morning the disciples of Jesus where on a boat in the middle of the sea awaiting the arrival of Jesus (presumably by a smaller boat). As it was still dark this particular morning, the disciples noticed a figure out on the water. Naturally they became afraid and feared it was a ghost of sorts. But as a voice drifted across the waters from the supposed ghost, they became confused. They recognized this voice, for it was the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ; but, bewilded because He was walking on water!
The voice cried again, “come to me.” Afraid, the disciples sat, shaking. But, Peter. Peter decided to try his faith. He climbed down the side of the boat and place his foot on the water. After catching his balance, familiarizing himself with the liquid land and turning around, He set his focus on the figure across the waters, Jesus Christ. An interesting point to this story is that as Peter was walking on the water, the winds began to blow and the waves started to crash. The closer he progressed toward Jesus, the worse the storm would rage. When he came to an arm’s length distance from the Lord, he lost his focus on the Lord and feared the raging sea. Almost immediately Peter began to sink quickly in to the water.
Jesus is able to keep us above water if we fix our attention on Him and Him only. This is an act of worship. The bible records, ‘you cannot serve two masters’. We cannot focus on Jesus and the worsening condition of life. He will keep in perfect peace – a peace that is unwavering, flawless, and fortified – him who keeps his mind (attention, focus, certainty, belief and thoughts) on Christ. Christ is our hope; therefore, we trust Him.
Trust is a key factor in this illustration. When we trust in Christ we are placing our most precious commodity in His hands to be protected and accrue wealth. Only Christ is able to protect and grow our investment when we invest it in Him. Man, of his own power. will let us down. But if we trust God, keep our minds centered on Christ, He will surround us with the right people who will protect us and bring the best out of us.
If we become like Peter and start to look away and began to sink in life’s trials, just know that we are only an arm’s length from Christ!
rodney.
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