Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

In a world that is in constant chaos it can be a challenge to find peace. Yet we are told in Isaiah 26:3 that if we trust in the Lord and keep our minds on Him that we will not only have peace but perfect peace.

Now, I don’t know about you but most of the battles that I face are in my mind. When circumstances challenge my Earthly reality the immediate battle is played out in my mind. Who will I trust? Will I trust in my natural means to “fix” the circumstances? Will I trust God? Will I let the storm dictate my direction or will I allow peace to keep me on the path of righteousness?

A Sense of Peace or Perfect Peace

Let’s just be honest! Having money can give a sense of peace that often can keep us from having to face some of life’s storms. I remember an extended season in which our family had more than enough in our bank account to take care of our own needs and even be able to help others in need. When our car needed new tires or had an engine problem we merely took it into our mechanic and told him to fix the problem. We didn’t lose peace because we knew that we had what we needed to pay for the problem to be fixed. If one of our young adult children came to us with a need, I easily could say, “Dad and I will take care of that for you!”. Our bills were paid early, our gas tanks were filled, our kitchen had all of the food we needed and we could even give generously to others. Now, of course money can’t fix the needs of relational issues or sickness but I wanted to give you an example of how our Earthly realities can give us a sense of peace.

Now let’s talk about Perfect Peace. Perfect peace goes beyond a “sense of peace”. Money can come to an end; we can lose a job, economies can change or even tragedies can happen that money cannot fix. Then what? Where did that sense of peace go? Whether we are in abundance or in great need, we need to nurture and practice living in the place of perfect peace. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the only sure thing! God never shifts or changes, He never is unavailable, He’s never broke, sick or tired. We can go to Him day and night and know that His character remains true and perfect. He will come into our storm tossed boat and calm the waves. “Peace be still.” He has authority over every Earthly thing. Although He does not promise that the storms will not come, He does promise that His perfect peace will calm you in the midst of the storm. The only condition to that promise is that we trust and keep our minds steadfast upon Him.

Are you in a storm today? I woke up to a bit of one today. I began to feel the battle in my mind and then heard the words, “Come into the safety of My perfect peace.” I don’t have to fix my eyes on my Earthly means because He has everything that I need. He has everything that you need. He is inviting us into this place of perfect peace. Breathe deep and enter in.

Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.