“Perfect Peace!” (Isaiah 26:1-19)

Advent Week 2—A Season of Preparation

The second week of Advent is the Candle of Preparation and is characterized by a focus on “peace”. This should not be a surprise if we know how the Old Testament ends in the prophetic writings of Malachi,

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts… Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6)

Note the emphasis on the peace of relational reconciliation—where the hearts of fathers are turned to their children and vice versa. We see this messenger’s work of preparation in the ministry of John the Baptist.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

    make his paths straight.’” (Matt. 3:1-3)

Rather uncharacteristically I spent a while at the beginning of this message discussing how the words translated “Peace” are used in the Bible.

I) Peace: What is it?

There are two main word groups to consider. In the Old Testament, we have the Hebrew word shalom, and in the New Testament, we have the Greek word eirene, both of them in all their forms.

Most Christians are familiar with the word shalom meaning “peace” but often our understanding of the scope of such peace is limited. For westerners, peace often means the absence of war or any active conflict. However, shalom while containing that meaning is broader and more holistic—peace, completeness, soundness, safety/welfare, and health. Shalom primarily signifies peace in the sense of "wholeness": see its use in

•        "unhewn"; an altar of uncut stones (Josh 8:31)
•        "full"; may the Lord grant you a full reward (Ruth 2:12)
•        "finished"; …so the wall was finished on …( Neh 6:15)

Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes that there is a close connection between the title “God of peace” in 1 Thess. 5:23 and the word holokleros, "whole," in that verse.

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Greek word used in the New Testament, eirene, is a very relational word

It describes:

"Harmonious relationships between men, between nations, friendliness, freedom from harm or attack, order, in the State; in the churches, the harmonized relationships between God and man, accomplished through the gospel, the sense of rest and contentment consequent thereon..." [Vines]

We should be aware that "The God of peace" is a title used at least seven times in the New Testament. (Rom 15:33; 16:20; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20; 1 Cor 14:33; 2 Cor 13:11).

Let me preface this question with the realization that it sounds very academic but has a very devotional intent. So, what part of speech is peace in our life? Does it function as a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb?

• Noun = is it primarily a thing to be had? 
• Verb = is it primarily an action to be done?
• Adjective =does it mainly describe something or someone?
• Adverb = does it mainly describe the way we do what we do?

I confess that this is a bit of a trick question in that it should be all four—appropriate for such a holistic concept!

• It is a noun to in the sense that Jesus gives it to us. But if it is only a thing to us then perhaps we need to make it more of an action.
• It is an action, but if it is only something we are trying to achieve then maybe we need to slow down a bit and receive it as one would receive a person into a relationship.
• As an adjective, it should describe our life, our home, and our family “so far as it is up to us.” How well does it describe our heart?
• As an adverb, it should describe the way we work, minister, and live our lives. Does it?

If you are like me then you know where you lack this kind of peace in your life, yet that is the very thing that Jesus comes to bring in his advent here! He brings not just peace, but perfect peace!

II) Not Just Peace, but Perfect Peace (Isaiah 26:1-19)

I would suggest reading the whole passage for context, which we did, but our focus was on verses 3-4,

                                        “You keep him

                                  in perfect peace

                                  whose mind is

                      stayed on    you,
   because he trusts in      you.
                      Trust  in the LORD forever,
                               for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

and verse 12,

                                      O LORD,

                          you will ordain peace   for us,
                     for you have indeed done for us

                                                          all our works.

If “peace” (shalom) is an amazingly complete and whole description of the relational, physical, and spiritual welfare of the person or community, then what is “perfect peace?”

The answer is “shalom shalom”! The repetition conveys the idea that this peace is perfect. All that shalom is, is most certainly true about this shalom.

In what context does this promise of God apply to his people? We probably should define a few terms for clarity.

• Keep: God will keep us in the sense of guarding, protecting, and watching over us.
• Mind: yēser, really represents more than the cognitive function represented by the “mind” in western culture. It is deeper and broader encompassing our (physical) form, our soul, and our whole being. “It is widely used in rabbinic writings to express the whole attitude and direction of one’s life.” (EBC)
• Stayed: samach, means steadfast, leaning on, sustained or supported by leaning or laying upon something solid.
• Trusts: batach, to take refuge in, and thus experience the sense of security and well-being of having someone in whom to place your confidence. Interestingly, in the LXX “never translates this “trust” as pisteuo (to believe); but always as elpizo (to hope).” (EBC)

So, when we lean in faith on the Lord (lit. “The Lord the Lord” to go with the “shalom shalom”), hoping in him alone, he keeps us in perfect peace! The expression “everlasting rock” points to the fact that his support and protection will never fail for all eternity. He is the best person to lean on in total trust.

We need to be reminded regularly that If our “mind” is stayed on the Lord, then he has captured my affections as well, and unlike those who do not trust we are able to see his majesty (magnificence, splendor, dignity) at work all around us (v.10). Do we see the glory of God in our daily life?

Verse 12 proclaims the peace that God ordains for us… that he has “indeed done for us all our works.” Salvation, the wall of our protection (v.1), is complete in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. That is peace. To be reconciled with God and each other (Jew and Gentile, male and female)!

Now that we have defined our terms and learned something about how peace is spoken of in the scripture, let me pose the following question. Can someone or something steal your peace? And, if so, then what, or who?

Peace comes from trust in the grace of God. A rather striking example of such trust and the perspective it provides can be found in the Civil War movie, Gods & Generals, when Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was asked by an adjutant,

“General, how is it you can stay so serene… stay so utterly insensible with the storm of shells and bullets raining about your head?”

“Captain Smith, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death, I do not concern myself with that; but to always be ready, whenever it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live. That way all men would be equally brave.”

There is some wisdom…be ready for it whenever it comes. Because of what Christ has done for us we can have peace that death is not the end. May our hearts steadfastly trust his great love for us!

III) Our Peace is Different!

The peace we seek—especially at advent—is not the temporary fragile peace of the cessation of human conflict accompanied by physical health and economic prosperity, though aspects of these may be included in the peace we seek. How is our peace different from the world’s peace? Allow me to briefly list a few simple characteristics of Christian peace.

1. This peace is given by God…and is not something we produce in our own efforts.

2. It can’t be taken away by the world, for the world has no authority over it. Jesus said, “Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27) and, “No one will snatch them out of my hand!” (John 10:28-29)

3. This peace is not based on circumstances. If shalom depended on physical health then it would leave in the face of illness or disability. If it was based upon our personal prosperity it would be evicted in the face of bankruptcy. If it was dependent upon our relative security and ease then it would not walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death where the rod and the staff of the Lord himself—not private contractors—must comfort us. So, upon what is true peace based? Let me suggest three interrelated sources of our peace.

• The Gracious Promises of God
• The Loving Presence of God
• The Infinite Power of God

4. How does “perfect peace” benefit us? 

• It preserves/keeps us from being consumed by the physical strain of anxiety and stress.
• It guards our thoughts and emotions in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7)
• It gives hope for the future (since we now have peace with God) for death is no longer to be feared.
• It makes room for ministry, for who will listen to us talk about the “good news” if we don’t have authentic peace in our lives today?
• The Lord hears our prayers (1 Peter 3:11-12; quoting Psalm 34:14-15)

IV) Jesus Himself is our peace

1.     He is the God of peace (at least 7x)

God is the God of peace (cf. Romans 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Philippians 4:9; 1Thess 5:23), who is concerned to preserve harmony among his people and protect them from divisive influences. He is able to defeat the adversary who delights to sow discord among Christians. "Peace" connotes the fullest prosperity of the whole man, taking up as it does the OT concept of the Hebrew shalom  It reminds us that it is God in whom all our prosperity is centered. There is no well-rounded life that does not depend on him. (EBC)

Wayne Grudem in his Systematic Theology writes about the God of peace,

Paul says that God’s actions are characterized by peace and not by disorder, confusion, or unrest (akatastasia). He is the God of peace. This doesn’t imply inactivity, for it was at a time of intense growth and activity that Luke could say that “the church throughout all Judea, and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up (Acts 9:31). Furthermore, although God is a God of peace, he is also the one who will neither slumber nor sleep (Ps 121:4). He is a God who is continually working (John 5:17). Thus God’s peace is defined as follows: God’s peace means that in God’s being and in his actions he is separate from all confusion and disorder, yet he is continually active in innumerable well-ordered, fully-controlled, simultaneous actions.  (Grudem, p. 203)

2.     My peace I give to you (John 14:27)

          Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

                           Not as the world gives do I give to you.

                    Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

3.     In Him we have peace (John 16:33)

I have said these things to you, that in me          you may have peace.

                                                         In the world you will   have tribulation.

         But take heart; I have overcome the world."

4.     He himself is our Peace (Eph. 2:14)

We conclude this section with these two verses,

“For he himself is our peace,

who has made us both one

and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

And also,

             “Now may the Lord of peace himself

                                        give you peace at all times in every way.

                                  The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thess 3:16)

V) Embracing Peace in Communion

We took communion together, as we stayed our minds and very beings on the great work of Christ on our behalf.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)

After we partook, I offered an Advent Prayer of Blessing as we were sent into the world this week:

Dear Church, may you experience the peace of Jesus…that no one can take away from you. May you know that Jesus is Immanuel—God with us. May his relational peace overflow your life to profoundly bless those he has brought near to you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

A Self-study On “Peace”

• Over the next few days, I encourage you to read the following verses at your own pace (even just 2-3 a day).
• Ask, “What does this verse teach me about peace?” Write down your answer.
• Ask, “How does this affect my life?” Write down your answer.
• Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to fill you with his peace in the Holy Spirit.

1. Numbers 6:22-27
2. Psalm 34:12-14 (also 1 Peter 3:10-12)
3. Psalm 85:8-13
4. Phil 4:4-9
5. Isaiah 9:6-7 
6. Isaiah 48:22
7. Zechariah 9:9-12
8. Luke 1:17 
9. Luke 2:13-14
10. John 14:27   
11. John 16:33   
12. Romans 5:1
13. Romans 8:6-8
14. 1 Cor 14:31-33
15. Gal 5:18-23
16. Eph. 2:13-17            
17. Eph. 4:1-3
18. Col. 1:19-23
19. Col. 3:12-17
20. 2 Thess. 3:16           
21. 2 Tim 2:22
22. Heb. 12:14
23. 2 Peter 3:14
24. James 3:17-18