Isaiah 26:3 AMP
[3] “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].
For all of God's promises, there are conditions to be fulfilled. One of such conditions is about location. Where you are located will always define your allocation. The Word of God says that it is impossible for God's grace to abound if I continue in sin. I cannot lay claim to the grace of righteousness unless I am ready and willing to confess my sin, forsake the life of iniquity and depend on God for support and help to live holy. Another condition relates to the contents and focus of my heart. Whatever is able to take hold of and dictate terms to my heart will define what happens to me and how God is able to reach my heart. If I store up junk from my environment, or allow the lies and deception of the devil to take hold of and take root in me, how would God be able to reach me when he wants to speak to my heart or encourage me to hold on to Him?
I note also that God does not promise that there would be no pressure; what He offers is perfect and constant peace, the type that the world cannot offer you. How can a world in constant turmoil and trouble offer you peace? How can a world that cannot guarantee food, clothing and shelter for its inhabitants then secure the peace that God speaks about here? A man cannot give what he does not have, and a system cannot offer or secure anything it does not own or generate. If I am seeking the right version of peace, the only place that is possible is in the One called the Prince of Peace. He is the personification of Peace, and He alone can secure a man's life for all of eternity. He is able to keep that which has been committed unto Him. If I hold on to it, I cannot turn around and blame Him for however it turns out.
God is committed to His part of the covenant; how would I respond? The requirement is for me to keep my mind committed and focused on God. Does it mean that distractions would not come? No. Does it mean that pressure to compromise or resort to self-help will not happen? No. The human nature does not easily give up, and it will continue to demand satisfaction, but I must constantly renew mind, with the help of the Holy Spirit, so that it constantly seeks after that which God can bless and sustain. I fix my gaze on Jesus, in expectation of His help for my walk of faith and my interactions with fellow human beings like myself. Life will happen to all of us at different times, but it is bearable because of the One who comes with us on the journey. Do not dare face the world without His help and Presence. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or imagine. Would you also trust Him? God's time of favour is here.
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