“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Is. 26:3). Of the 1,292 verses in the book of Isaiah, this verse is one of the most beautiful.

Imagine God keeping you in perfect peace. This verb is translated from a Hebrew word that means to guard from dangers, to watch and protect. The picture is of God setting a guard around us to protect us from all danger.

The peace given by God is perfect. It is complete, lacking nothing. It is able to accomplish everything we need. Paul said the peace of God “surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). This means we are not able to fully comprehend or explain this peace. It is beyond our understanding, but it is ours to enjoy if we will ask for it.

This perfect peace of God is conditional. Notice two things Isaiah says about the recipient of God’s peace.

First, this peace is given to the one whose mind is stayed on God. This was written at a time when God’s people were trying to secure their peace by turning to idols and trusting in nations around them. The mind that is stayed on God is the heart that is loyal to God. Peace comes when we give ourselves entirely to God and His will. God is looking for hearts what will not waver from their loyalty to Him. If our faithfulness is like a wave driven and tossed by the winds of fear and doubt, we can’t expect God to give us perfect peace (James 1:6-8).

Second, this peace is given to the one who trusts in God. It is one thing to believe in God, but it is another thing to believe what God says – to trust in His promises. We need the faith of our father Abraham, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Rom. 4:20-21). When we trust God to fulfill His promises, our hearts are freed from worry and doubt.

The perfect peace God offered His people in Isaiah’s day is even better today because it is offered through His Son. Jesus said the peace He offers is different from any kind of peace we can find in this world. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). This is because He alone can give us peace with God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

Is God keeping you in perfect peace?