Perfect peace
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3).
I invite you to journey with me through these next days as we contemplate the amazing gift that was prepared for us to receive that first Christmas.
I’d been going through a busy patch – you know how retirees always say, ‘I’m so busy now. I don’t know how I had time to go to work’? Well, my various committees had all been scheduled to meet within a two-to-three-week timeframe. There seemed to be extra child-minding requirements for the gorgeous grandchildren. Adding to that, I had accidentally damaged a finger, which now required physio appointments and regular exercise so I could get back at least some use of it. Then I received the reminder that the deadline for completing these devotions was fast approaching – including four based on the Book of Isaiah.
These days preceding Christmas can be fraught with distraction and busyness, not to mention worry and tension. When venturing out to public places, it’s not uncommon for Christmas music to be blaring. There is some tension as to whether we are celebrating Christmas or having a non-religious holiday season. Whatever it is, these are not necessarily calm or peaceful times.
But wait: in this song of praise we are reading today, the promise of peace shines, glistening like an oasis in a desert. ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust you.’
We just need to hold onto that; to believe that ‘the Lord himself is the Rock eternal’. We can affirm our trust in God when we are at our lowest, be that in the middle of the night or at busy times during the day. God’s ear is always open for our prayers. God’s care is always there for us. One of the reasons I like to wear a cross is that it provides me with a tangible reminder of Jesus’ gifts to me – the gifts of forgiveness, salvation and just being there for me. The gift of peace.
The Lord really is my Rock eternal. May Jesus be your Rock, too, today and always.
Lord God, thank you for being my Rock eternal. Thank you for your steadfast love that surrounds me today and every day – no matter what happens. Strengthen my reliance on you so I can rest in the assurance of your promises and experience your peace that is beyond any human understanding. Amen.
Colleen Fitzpatrick trained as a social worker and worked in foster care and adoptions. She was the director of Lutheran Community Care in South Australia. Colleen is now retired but is a member of several committees and boards within the LCA and the community. She has a husband, John, two daughters and three granddaughters. Colleen lives in Adelaide, South Australia.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
