Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 KJV
During the summer before college, I worked at a Florida Phosphate plant as a laborer. I worked continual swing shifts at the 24 hour plant. It was a dry and dusty place of work, so I found a little personal bible to keep with me to memorize scriptures. This booklet was 2 x 2 ½ inches tall filled with meaningful bible verses. Some of the verses, like today’s, are locked in memory from that summer.
The Hebrew word order follows this pattern: leaning on a strong purpose, You guard with peace peace, because he trust You
The leaning on a strong purpose suggest a secure mind or a steadfast mind as used in other translations. What makes the mind steadfast? Directing your thoughts on a God who never changes. To truly be leaning upon something for support, means that you are no longer supporting yourself. Your full weight is resting upon the thing which you are leaning upon. God is worthy of the conviction to place all of your trust in Him.
To keep is the Hebrew word to guard or watch over. Those who are leaning and trusting on God, He guards. The one who never sleeps nor slumbers is always watching over you. He never gets tired or weary. He never needs a sabbatical. He does not find more important things to do. He stands ready.
Perfect peace is written by using the same noun twice – peace, peace or in Hebrew, shalom, shalom. The literary style of using two of the same nouns is stronger than using an adjective to show the full impact of the meaning. Perfect, in this sense, means 100 percent completeness with no lack. The focus is not on perfect – peace, but rather possessing all of the benefits of peace or the shalom of God. Peace is God’s gift of welfare, happiness, favor, good health, and wholeness of life.
Trust in You. This shalom, shalom is for those who place all of their trust in God who is watching over them. I find this works best when I verbalize my trust. Literally, I say, “God, I don’t know how this is going to work out, but I am trusting you to lead and guide me.” This is not my prayer time, rather I speak this aloud as I am facing an issue or worry or concern. Faith comes by hearing.
With a lot of uncertainty because of the COVID19 crisis, may your learn to place all of your trust in God. You will enjoy the benefits of PEACE, PEACE.
Blessings Love y’all
Really means a lot to understand this broken down in this way. Thank you fir sharing.