In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust. The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy. – Isaiah 26:1-6
Finding Your Peace
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Advent season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Between shopping for gifts, planning family gatherings, balancing daily responsibilities – not to mention the normal hardship and heartache that we may experience at any time – finding peace can seem like an impossible task. Yet, in Isaiah 26:1-6, we are reminded of a peace that transcends our circumstances—a peace that is rooted in God’s eternal promises.
The Promise of Peace
Isaiah 26 speaks of a future time when God’s people will experience perfect peace. In the midst of the chaos and conflict of life, this passage offers a vision of hope—of a day when God will establish His eternal reign, and peace will fill the earth. Isaiah writes, “In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts’” (Isaiah 26:1). God promises to protect and keep His people, establishing a peace that no external force can disrupt.
This peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the active filling of our lives with the presence of God. Isaiah uses the imagery of a strong city with walls and ramparts to show us that God’s peace is a fortress, something we can rely on even in times of trouble. It’s a peace that keeps us secure in His love, no matter what the world throws at us.
Perfect Peace in Trust
The key to experiencing this peace is trust in the Lord. Isaiah continues, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You” (Isaiah 26:3). The word “steadfast” here means unwavering or fixed, indicating that peace comes when we center our hearts and minds on God. When we trust in His sovereignty and goodness, we are anchored in His peace, which is unshakable.
In times of stress, anxiety, fear, worry, or suffering, it’s easy to forget that peace is available to us. But Isaiah encourages us to meditate on God’s promises and to fix our thoughts on His faithfulness. The more we focus on who God is and what He has done, the more His peace fills our hearts.
The Prince of Peace
In the New Testament, we are reminded that this peace is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus came as the Prince of Peace to bring reconciliation between God and humanity, and He offers peace to all who trust in Him. The apostle Paul writes, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way” (2 Thessalonians 3:16). This peace is not a fleeting feeling but a constant presence—a peace that doesn’t depend on our circumstances but on the character of Christ, who is the source of our peace.
Advent is the perfect time to reflect on the peace that Christ brings. In His first coming, He brought peace to a broken world, and He promises to return to bring ultimate peace when He makes all things new. This peace is a gift that we can embrace right now, in the midst of our busy lives, and it’s a peace that can be shared with those around us.
Thinking on God and Finding Peace
In his final days, Tim Keller said, “Christian peace comes not from thinking less but from thinking more and more intensely about the big issues of life.” This peace isn’t the shallow kind we often look for in the fleeting distractions of the world. It’s a peace that comes from deeply meditating on who God is and the eternal hope we have in Christ.
In Romans 8, Paul tells us that our present sufferings are nothing compared to the glory that is coming. By reflecting on the big picture—the ultimate victory of Christ, the glory to come, and the eternal life we have in Him—we are able to gain perspective and find peace in the midst of our trials. The key is not to escape our troubles but to view them through the lens of God’s promises.
The Invitation to Peace
If you’re struggling to find peace this season, remember that peace comes from trusting in God and meditating on His Word. As you reflect on the hope of Advent and the coming of the Prince of Peace, allow God’s peace to fill your heart. This peace is available to you today, no matter what you’re facing, because it is not based on your circumstances but on the unchanging character of God.
For those who don’t know Christ, the invitation is clear: Jesus offers a supernatural peace that can only be found in Him. His peace is not dependent on what you’ve done but on what He has done for you. Through His death and resurrection, He has made a way for you to experience peace with God. Will you trust in Him today?
Living in Peace
As we continue in this Advent season, let’s be intentional about keeping our peace. Instead of getting caught up in the chaos, let’s fix our minds on God, trust in His promises, and meditate on the peace that He offers. This peace is not just for us to enjoy but for us to share with those around us. Let’s be a non-anxious presence in our families, workplaces, and communities, reflecting the peace of Christ in all we do.
This Advent, remember that the peace of God is not just a distant hope but a present reality. Let it fill your heart, and let it shine through you to the world.
Join Us for Advent
Interested in learning more about Advent, the church, or faith in Jesus? Contact us or join us each week in December at King’s Cross Church to experience our Advent series leading up to our Christmas Eve Service.