“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)
Ever been in a situation where you needed to make a U-turn but couldn’t find a place to do it? Every time you thought you could, a sign loomed declaring “No U Turn.” I have had that frustrating experience more than once and have welcomed help that finally got me going in the right direction.
In Luke 24:13-35, we learn of two of Jesus’ followers who needed a U-turn. As they walked to Emmaus that Sunday afternoon, they sadly discussed what had happened to their hoped-for Messiah. Then the Word came to them; He was about to help them make a U-turn. Jesus engaged them in conversation, eventually explaining, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Don’t you just love that Jesus the Word came to them while they were mired in the circumstances and that it was revelation of Himself and Scripture that turned them back to Jerusalem?
Oftentimes, our circumstances shake our faith. The word circumstance comes from Latin, meaning “surrounding condition.” Feeling surrounded and not seeing a reason or a solution can lead to hopelessness. The Word breaks through the circumstances and brings peace in the midst of them as we trust in Him: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV).
Here is the same verse in two other versions:
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]” (Amplified Version).
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (NIV).
Recently, I needed a U-turn in my thinking. While walking my dog one morning, my physical circumstances were good; it was my mind that was affected. I began to focus on the status of our world, our nation, and the future, and I was overwhelmed by what appeared hopeless. For several minutes, there was utter despair, fear arose, and tears came. But then, in the midst of it all, came the Word, the Promise Keeper, the truth of the Scriptures, and the perfect peace. He is faithful and true. I was U-turned! Peace, calm, hope, trust, joy!
Some questions to reflect on today:
Does what you see around you shape your faith? Is your faith shaken by what you walk through? Is your faith shaped by circumstances or by the Scriptures?
Jesus points us to the Scriptures because they point to Him.
Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member