Isaiah 26

There are times in our lives when circumstances cause us to step back and realize just how fleeting life is and just how little control we have over the things that happen to us. This isn’t a reality we often face; most of us go merrily through the day, living out the plans we have made for ourselves, gleefully unaware that it could all come crashing down around us in a moment (although somewhere, in the back of our minds, we know it’s true).

But, sooner or later, those times will come—the crisis, the tragedy, the unexpected blow. Our world spins out of control, and while we may think that what we want most is for the crisis to just go away so we can return to our plans, if we sit with the suffering long enough, we will realize that what we really want most is peace and assurance.

There is Someone who offers just that: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” (vs 3-4)

There is only one way to peace, and that is through trusting the Lord. It sounds so simple, but when we are faced with that moment when we must either do all in our power to make things come out the way we want or turn and surrender our crisis to God, it really isn’t easy. As much lip service as we give to trusting in the Lord, allowing Him to have total control over the outcome of our job insecurity, our rocky relationship, or our brain tumor isn’t the natural thing for us to do. After all, what if His will includes losing a job we love, not getting the divorce we want, or relinquishing our very life?

Can we really trust Him to do what is best for us?

The only time I have seen this sort of steadfast trust in action was when my father looked the fear of his terminal illness right in the eye and said, “God knows what He’s doing.” Because of that mindset of total trust and surrender, he (and my mom and I) were kept in perfect peace—all those long months his health was declining and all the long years since he passed away.

Peace doesn’t mean you don’t grieve. Peace doesn’t mean you don’t get upset. Peace doesn’t mean you cease to feel emotions. Peace just means that you have totally surrendered yourself to the fact that God knows what He’s doing. Those who can live in that reality are those whom God will keep in perfect peace—even as every last thing you have is stripped away from you.

God is the eternal Rock. He’s not going anywhere. Isn’t it time to let go of the illusion that you have control and take hold of His perfect peace instead?