Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” This is God’s promise to us! Are you believing and trusting in one moment, and in the next doubting and afraid—still easily knocked down by waves of fear? Maybe you’ve experienced a breakthrough from the grip of anxiety and fear, but you find yourself still easily sucked back into it. The thing is, even if we have gone through the work of identifying triggers, confessing, and surrendering, without consistent time with the Lord, we will lose our focus on God. Rather than remembering to use our faith shields to deflect the wind and the rain, we’ll make feeble attempts to withstand the storms of life in our own strength. This never works. Our fears end up growing bigger, louder, and stronger; and we become easily overwhelmed by the day-to-day struggles we face.
In life we can intentionally choose to take the path that will lead us closer to God, or we can let ourselves drift farther from God’s presence. When the storm is raging and chaotic winds thrash about, threatening your peace, Jesus is the anchor for your soul. He will be your shelter from the rain. He will keep you safe from the dangers of the rugged open sea, and whenever you start to drift, He will reel you back in. God will tether your heart to His when you fear you will drown, and rest assured, He will keep your little boat afloat. The Lord will command the wind and the waves to be still! He will lead you beside quiet waters (see Psalm 23:2). He will refill what the day’s demands have emptied, refresh your spirit, strengthen your faith, and restore you to perfect peace in His presence. If we remain close by His side—as sheep under the protection and care of a shepherd—we will experience God’s perfect love and peace, and we will thrive.
In Psalm 23, King David poetically paints a beautiful picture for us of how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, watches over us and lovingly cares for us as the sheep of His pasture. Let’s take some time to soak in all this psalm has to teach us:
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
—Psalm 23
As you can see in Psalm 23, our Good Shepherd is providing, restoring, leading, comforting, protecting, and sacrificing for us, that we may live as abundantly blessed and loved sheep all the days of our lives. In Christ, we lack nothing. Our hopes, dreams, and longings for something more will all be met in the power of His presence. He calls to us from the deep, gently whispering our name, offering us rest in a world full of chaos. He is our protection, and we will find comfort and security in knowing He is looking after us every moment of every day. With indescribable peace, our Good Shepherd blesses all those who walk with Him and follow His ways.
God is good, all the time. When we open our eyes to His grace and pursue His loving presence, we will see His goodness and experience His peace. Without doubt, perfect peace can only be experienced in God’s presence.
