Walls and Peace
“You will keep him in perfect peace,/Whose mind is stayed on You,/Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Only one who has known the fear and doubt of unsafe situations can really understand this verse. I have had the privilege of generally living in communities where I felt relatively safe and secure when I went to sleep. Like most American Christians, much of the disquiet in my life is self-inflicted, resulting from poor decisions or carelessness. For most of history, such solace has been rare; for much of the world today, such peace is not known.
Leading up to this verse, Isaiah says in verses 1 and 2,
“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
‘We have a strong city;
God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.
Open the gates,
That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.’” (NKJV)
The imagery of a strong, walled city was significant in that day. Despite what some today say about the value of walls, we still believe in them. If first saw walls topped with glass or other sharp deterrents as a boy of 10, when we lived in Taiwan. Today, homes and businesses in high-crime areas still feature walls with a some sort of topper (glass, barbed wire, etc.) meant to discourage those who might attempt to climb over. And even in low-crime, more affluent areas, entire subdivisions are gated – the gate being in a substantial wall.
A wall allows those inside to grant access to those it deems to be safe or desirable to let in (e.g., “the righteous nation which keeps the truth”). Having a strong, defended wall in the days of Isaiah allowed one to feel secure; they could sleep without fear of bandits or wild animals freely roaming into their neighborhood, or even into their home.
Contemporary culture, much of which is free of such physical dangers, has developed another foe against which to defend.
Whether it be overloading ourselves with stress at work, engaging in risky behaviors which threaten our health or other inner turmoil-producing stressors, we replace physical with emotional threats. For these, too, God promises relief. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7; “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)
My mind is stayed on You, O Lord. I trust You with that over which I have no control. I commit to govern that over which I have some say in the light of Your Word, as led by your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the peace only You can bring.