You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:15
Isaiah promises that God will keep “in perfect peace” the one whose mind is steadfast and trusting. This perfect peace – literally “shalom, shalom” – speaks of wholeness, completeness, and deep inner rest. It’s peace rooted in the faithful character of God, not in ourselves.
Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans that through Christ “we have peace with God” – the foundational peace from which all other forms of peace flow. Because Christ has reconciled us to the Father, we stand in a relationship made right… one that is secure and steady. This is the peace that anchors our identity.
And in Colossians, we are called to let this peace rule in our hearts acting like an inner judge, steadying our reactions, shaping our responses, and guiding our community life. Peace is not passive; it is an active force that governs us from within.
Not long ago, I walked through a season where my heart was full of anxiety. God was clearly stirring something in me, leading me away from a church I loved deeply – people I had poured my life into. The thought of leaving them filled me with grief, uncertainty, and even fear. I kept asking, “Lord, are you sure? Is this really the path you’re calling me to?”
That season felt like a long wrestling match, but as I kept returning to God – praying, listening, and seeking His direction- something amazing happened. Amid the upheaval, God began to steady my heart. As I followed Him into the unknown, God put exactly the right people in my path and led me to somewhere that felt unmistakably like home. And in that place, I found a kind of peace I hadn’t known before – a perfect peace, a deep settled-ness that came only from trusting God step-by-step.
Looking back, I see how God’s peace gently ruled my heart through the transition. It didn’t move the difficulty of the decision, but it guided my emotions, calmed my thoughts, and confirmed that I was held securely by the One who gives us peace. His peace didn’t just accompany the change – His peace made the change possible.
With the lighting of the second Advent candle, we remember that perfect peace is possible because we have peace with God through Christ – and this peace is meant to rule, direct, and balance our hearts.