Finding Peace Where You Stay
“Where do you stay?” It is a question you might be asked in the South. It sometimes means, “Where do you live?” Over time, slang phrases come and go, but apparently this phrase goes many years back, maybe even centuries ago, to Scotland where it usually meant, “Where are you sleeping,” or “Where are your belongings?” Staying usually means remaining in one place. So, let me repeat the question for you: Where are you staying? And does the place where you are remaining or staying give you peace?
There are so many things that can interrupt our well-being or even our sense of safety. Have you had your peace disturbed by the daily news? How about by the balance in your bank account or loan balance? Relationship issues, health issues, a career change, or even a retirement can be unsettling.
In Isaiah 25:3-4, we find something remarkable. Where we stay has a lot to do with our peace. Isaiah wasn’t talking about your zip code or the quality of the security system in your home. Here are his words: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.” We should note that this doesn’t have anything to do with where I put my head on a pillow tonight. It has everything to do with where I choose to focus my mind.
So how do we keep our mind on Jesus? It begins when we choose to start the day in conversation with the Lord in prayer. In Mark 1:35 we read that even Jesus woke up very early, while it was still dark, and went to a desolate place where he prayed. If Jesus needed to start his day praying to his Father in heaven, it seems reasonable that we would do well to do the same!
But it doesn’t take long before the email pops up, the traffic jam happens on the way to work, the school nurse calls to tell you your child tripped and hit her head, and on and on, and before you know it, the mind is staying in a place of frustration, anger, or fear. It happens to all of us. In times of stress and uncertainty, we can and must bring to our mind the words and promises of scripture so that the Holy Spirit can guide us back to the place where our mind is staying centered on Jesus and his promises.
Isaiah continued in verse four by reminding us that the Lord God is an everlasting rock. He is capable, secure, solid, unmovable, and as Isaiah indicated, everlasting. God never goes away. His presence fills us and guides us.
Later in this passage Isaiah writes, “O Lord, we wait for you.” This does not mean that God disappeared and we are waiting for him to show up again, but we are waiting for his final renewal and complete restoration of all things to take place when Jesus returns. Until then, God is with us every day. But all things are not back to the garden state where there is no injustice, sin, or unrighteousness around us or in us.
In verse 12, the prophet once again brings up that the Lord declares, or ordains, peace. We do not generate peace, God does. God has done and is perpetually doing all his works for our benefit. I wonder if Paul had this passage in mind when he wrote Ephesians 2:8-10:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Paul indicated that we certainly can’t work our way to salvation. But then Paul said that we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God planned before we were even born! As we wait for God’s final restoration, we work through God and beside God to do works of renewal and restoration even now. And we cannot do God’s work unless we keep our minds “stayed” on Jesus.
David told us that we sleep in peace when we lie down because of the Lord. So, start your day in prayer. Call out to him and call to mind his truth as you face the issues that make us drift and worry. Know that he will never leave us and does not expect us to do what only he can do. And when you lie your head on your pillow tonight wherever you are staying, make sure you say one more prayer with your mind abiding in Christ.
Father, thank you that in Christ we can have perfect peace. Fill us with your presence today. Call to our minds your truth when moments of stress are stirred in the activities of this day. You are our everlasting rock. We trust in you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 26:3-4, 7-9, 12; Mark 1:35; Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV
Photo by Timothy Buck on Unsplash
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