“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
I find these words comforting in all circumstances of distress, worry, or even difficulty making a decision, because the “perfect peace” isn’t dependent on any change of circumstance, external or internal. This peace is simply a product of putting one’s trust in God—full stop. That sounds too good to be true, and always reminds me of the story of Naaman (2 Kings 5) who didn’t think that bathing seven times in the Jordan (shown in the photo) was quite showy and impressive enough to cure his leprosy, as God had directed through his prophet Elisha.
Trust and Act in Trust
But when Naaman humbled himself to simply trust and act in that trust, he was cleansed. What seemed too simple, even childlike, to Naaman, was in fact a radical act. It demonstrated clearly to Naaman that his healing was not within himself, his position, or any great acts of his own to bring about.
God will give each of us a mind like Naaman’s restored skin: untroubled and whole as a child’s, if, like a child, we present ourselves before him—and trust.
Thanks for posting this, Celia, it’s a great thought. Makes me think of the Psalm David wrote on his death bed. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”
It’s interesting to think about trusting in God so that when we act, he is acting with us.
Thanks for the reminder that we need to act on the basis of our trust in God.
Wonderful thoughts Celia. It made me think of the verse in Nahum 1:17 that says “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Thank you for sharing.