Perfect Peace
- Elijah McSwain
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
11/14/2025
Elijah McSwain, Sr.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV — You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26 is considered a song of salvation. The prophet Isaiah envisioned a futuristic time when God’s people would experience the protection, safety, security, and strength of the Lord. On the appointed day of the Lord, His people, the righteous nation that abides by divine truth, will enter the gates of the strong city (Isaiah 26:1-2). The NIV Grace Truth Study Bible documents “Writing of that future day when God’s people will experience the fullness of salvation, Isaiah tells of the song that will be sung. The old Jerusalem will be a city made new again. The city will be strong, and salvation will be its walls and ramparts (v.1). Just as walls were used to protect citizens of a city, so also will God protect his people. The gates will be for the righteous, and the minds of the righteous will be in perfect peace (vv. 2-3). The reader should trust the Lord now, for he is the Rock who is sturdy and stable in the ebb and flow of life and suffering. Yahweh is the firm foundation for his people.” 1
Despite adversity and persecution, Judah was to remain focused on God. Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. During their suffering and tribulation, their future song would render praise for what the Lord was about to do. How does this futuristic song of Judah relate to us today? The emphasis is on the fact that, regardless of our circumstances, we should remember that the Lord is an everlasting Rock who provides stability and peace when we trust Him.
The Essence of Peace
The author implied in verse three that God provides “perfect peace.” “Perfect peace” in Hebrew is shalom, shalom. David Guzik noted, “in Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity. It isn’t just shalom; it is shalom shalom, perfect peace.” 2
The repeated use of the word “shalom” is written to emphatically express the peace that exists in God.
Perfect peace is of a divine origin. Perfect peace stems from above. Peace is a vertical element that is connected to the nature of God. In other words, peace is linked to the eternality of the Lord. Perfect peace can be experienced horizontally by mankind as God communicates the essence of His peace from above. H.B. Charles, Jr. voiced peace in this sense: “What is peace? It is more than the absence of hostility and animosity and trouble. It is more than the absence of negative realities. The idea of peace in the Bible is wholeness and completeness and blessing and fulfillment. The question is, where does this peace come from? True peace comes only from God. God is the God of peace. Where there is God, there is peace. Where there is true peace, there is God. God is the source of peace. God is the substance of peace. God is the sustainer of peace. God is the supply of peace.” 3
The essence of peace is rooted in God. If a person wants to experience true peace, they must approach the giver of peace, God. The spirit of peace can only be found in God. What is often found when people search for peace outside of God is what can be called “temporal peace." Temporal peace is fleeting and only lasts for a short time. This kind of alternative to true peace is based on pleasant conditions, favorable circumstances, and the lack of problematic issues. Essentially, it is the essence of happiness, which stems from freedom from life’s disruptions and disturbing events. However, this kind of temporary peace in the form of happiness disappears once a person’s circumstantial situation changes.
But true peace from the Lord is not fleeting or interrupted when our minds are genuinely focused on the person, being, power, character, and nature of God.
The Focus of The Mind
The writer Isaiah explained that God keeps His people in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on Him because of our trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3). The word “stayed” suggests a focused mind that is firmly rooted and anchored in the Lord. It describes a mindset centered on God in all areas of life and human experience. How does this ancient biblical text that spoke of Judah's futuristic provisions speak to us today? Similarly, the way this passage spoke to Isaiah and the people of Judah still offers biblical principles for a troubled mind or someone facing a difficult situation.
The historical story of the people of Judah can help Christians today understand the importance of cultivating a mindset focused on the Lord.
Albert Barnes mentioned, “The inhabitants of Judea had been borne to a far distant land. They had been subjected to reproaches and to scorn; had been stripped of their property and honor; and had been reduced to the condition of prisoners and captives. Yet their confidence in God had not been shaken. They still trusted in him; still believed that he could and would deliver them. Their mind was, therefore, kept in entire peace.” 4When God is the focus in every part of our lives, perfect peace will be the result, regardless of the situation. It is worth noting that the mind focused on God rests in a state of peace.
The mind that focuses on God is protected by Him and finds complete peace.
How can we find peace during grief?
How can we find peace during the loss of a loved one?
How can we find peace when financial burdens threaten to overwhelm us?
How do we find peace when sickness affects our bodies?
How can we find peace in broken marriages and relationships?
How do we find peace in broken homes?
How do we find peace when we are at the point of mental distress?
How do we find peace when we feel the weight of disappointment, frustration, hopelessness, and exhaustion?
The answer lies in focusing our minds on God rather than on the circumstances. God is greater than any of our circumstances. God’s people must learn to shift their focus from the horizontal issues of life to the vertical source that provides a solution to our ailing problems.
God will keep us in perfect peace, for the mind that remains focused on Him. To have a “stayed” mind is a mind that does not deviate from the source of its strength. It is a mind that is not uprooted when calamities occur. It remains unmoved and unswayed; therefore, this type of mind demonstrates trust and confidence in God.
Albert Barnes commented on verse three about perfect peace that the mind experiences: “That is, the mind that has confidence in God shall not be agitated by the trials to which it shall be subject; by persecution, poverty, sickness, want, or bereavement.” 4
Believers can maintain peace of mind by focusing on the Lord through prayer, meditation of the heart, and studying God’s Word. Psalm 119:50 (NKJV) reveals, “This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.” Being grounded in Scripture provides peace. 1 John 3:20-21 (NKJV) reveals, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.” The unfortunate realities that we often face attempt to consume our hearts, rob us of peace, and weigh us down with condemnation. However, a mind connected to God is in a state of tranquility, remains calm, and experiences God's peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) declares, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Just as the Lord promised to strengthen the people of Judah with a strong city surrounded by walls and bulwarks, He will fortify the spiritual walls, defenses, and fortress of our minds when we trust in Him. He will guard the hearts and minds of Christians when we display faith in Him.
The outcome is that God will grant peace that surpasses all understanding by protecting us from what seeks to destroy our inner sense of peace.
John MacArthur explained these words in relation to Philippians 4:6-7, “This refers to the divine origin of peace. It transcends human intellect, analysis, and insight (Is. 26:3; John 16:33). Guard. A military term meaning “to keep watch over.” God’s peace guards believers from anxiety, doubt, fear, and distress.” 5 Our mental guard and experiencing peace are connected to the following verses of Philippians, as indicated in Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV): “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” The mind that shifts its perspective on God is protected from fears, doubts, frustration, and mental disturbances because it focuses on things that are pure, noble, just, true, of good report, and lovely. The pure, lovely, just, true, noble, and things of good report suppress what is deemed to override the mind to suffocate its peace.
By keeping our minds focused on the Lord through meditation, the God of peace will be with us to provide perfect peace in difficult times as we trust in Him.
Trust In The Lord Yields To Everlasting Strength
Isaiah 26:4 (NKJV) states, “Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” The Lord is our source and place of trust. He is our refuge. Trust signifies reliance and dependence on Him.
Our view of life’s challenging moments is not about relying on our own strength, but on God’s power.
The people of Judah were expected to trust in God faithfully. Despite their known situation, they were to look to God with confidence and realistic expectations. This is the same mindset we should have today.
One writer stated, “Let your confidence in God on no occasion fail. Let no calamity, no adversity, no persecution, no poverty, no trial of any kind, prevent your reposing entire confidence in him.’ 6
In any situation, trust God. In despair, trust God. In desperate situations, trust God. Trust the Lord at all times.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) records, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Isaiah wrote, “Trust in the Lord forever” (Isaiah 26:4). Trust in God should be displayed continuously. The life we are called to is one of trust, faith, reliance, and loyalty to God. At any point in life, we should never forfeit our peace by not trusting Him. But too often, this is our reality as we let trying times take control of our minds.
Trusting in God means entrusting every matter to His care. If the matter has been given to Him, then trust Him.
Isaiah further stated, “Trust in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” YAH, one of many translations of the Bible, is synonymous with Jehovah, the Lord Jehovah, the Lord God, or the Lord Himself. The essence of trusting in the Lord is to trust in His being, power, and loving-kindness that is associated with His name.
When God acts, He does so according to His character, nature, and name.
A.R. Faussett mentioned the Lord Jehovah,” Hebrew, Jah Jehovah, is the union of the two names, expressing in the highest degree God’s unchanging love and power. 7 We can trust God's unfailing power to act because, like the people of Judah, we know His name. Psalm 9:10 (NKJV) emphasizes “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” God never disappoints. Those who cling to His name will find satisfaction and peace.
Satisfaction comes from realizing that God alone is our eternal strength. The phrase “everlasting strength” depicts Him as our Rock of Ages. He is the source of stability. A firm foundation that provides support and strength throughout our lifetime. If you want your life to be strengthened, trust God. Life often reveals our fragile nature by exposing our weaknesses. The good news is that we have a place of security, assurance, help, fortification, power, and strength.
Moody tied verse 3 with verse 4 in the following words: “The tree of peace strikes its roots into the crevices of the Rock of Ages.” 8
If we are to experience God’s peace, then our spiritual roots must be grounded in the crevices of the everlasting rock. Scripture informs God’s people about His strength.
Psalm 46:1 NKJV— “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 73:26 NKJV — “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Ephesians 6:10 NKJV — “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Psalm 59:16 ESV — “But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Psalm 119:28 NKJV — “My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.”
Isaiah 40:29 NKJV — “He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.”
Trust in the Lord, for He is our eternal strength. Trusting in God will alleviate life’s worries. Trusting in God will strengthen your feeble mind. Trusting in God brings peace during times of storm.
The hymnologist H.G. Spafford wrote
“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Refrain (may be sung after final stanza only):
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.” 9
He will give perfect peace to those whose minds are fixed on Him because they trust in Him as their source of provision and strength.
Notes
The NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible. Zondervan. 2021.
Barnes, Albert. “Commentary on Isaiah 26:3”. “Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/isaiah-26.html. 1870.
The MacArthur Study Bible
Barnes, Albert. “Commentary on Isaiah 26:4”. “Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/isaiah-26.html. 1870.
Fausset, A. R. n.d. A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Job–Isaiah. Vol. III. London; Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited.
The Believer’s Bible Commentary
The New National Baptist Hymnal. Hymn 189. 1977. Triad Publications.
