Isa 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ESV
This peace we read about here in Isa 26 is actually the Shalom peace of God. Shalom speaks of the fullness of God’s blessing in the earth which is more than just a basic idea of peace. We read how the word “shalom” also translates prosperity, healthy, rest, wellness, welfare, happy and friendly in other portions of scripture.
Ps 35:27 …The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant. NAS
Joseph asks if his father is even alive and his brothers respond using the word “shalom” in their response.
Gen 43:28 They replied, Your servant our father is still alive and well… NIV
Despair is the absence of shalom in all of its meanings. When we have no money to pay the bills we have no peace. When our health is challenged it is easy to lose our peace. Interestingly we are described as “peacemakers” as sons and daughters of God in Jesus own words.
Matt 5:9 Blessed are peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. NIV
God’s plan is for us to experience God’s presence and produce shalom in the earth as a result as we declare God’s Kingdom has come and is here in us! So many people feel fearful and hopeless right now but we are anointed by God to bring shalom into the situation.
Easter weekend is just four weeks away on Sunday, April 12th. Passover begins the evening of Wednesday, April 8th and ends in the evening of Thursday, April 16th.
Jesus is the true fulfillment of the sacrificial Passover Lamb. Ex 12 Passover lamb was sacrificed after 3 ½ days of intense examination. Jesus faced intense examination by The Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod & then Pilate again. Then Jesus was actually crucified at the same time Passover lambs were being sacrificed.
When the Passover lamb was brought to the priest, the priest examined the lamb for sacrifice not the person bringing it. At Passover those who believed had put blood at the top and sides of their doors. Notice the blood would drip from the top of the door to the ground making four points of blood that expressed the shape of the cross at each doorframe to which it had been applied. Every household who was covered by the blood had the the plague of death pass over them.
Over a year ago the Holy Spirit prompted me to begin praying in a very unusual way. After walking with God for many years I found it unusual but knew it was him. There were seven points of prayer I sensed the Lord was asking me to engage in over a long period of time on purpose. Every single day the first point of prayer I have prayed has been, “God let there be good reports over all of our family and friends according to Ps 112.”
Ps 112:6-8 Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. 7 He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. 8 That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his foes. TLB
We are standing and believing for God’s hand of intervention in this entire situation!
Keep the focus. Keep the faith. Keep the perfect peace!