Isaiah 26:3-4 (Amplified) “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]. “Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], For the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
Do you realise that the peace of God is being stolen from us whenever we hear of any negative reports or go through unpleasant experiences in life? We have had our fair share of bad news in the world recently, so how do we keep the peace of God in our hearts and our minds as we patiently wait for breakthrough in the current circumstances? The answer can be found in the Bible.
The opposite of peace is anxiety, worry, or feeling unsettled in our hearts and minds because we have heard negative news or are experiencing adversities in our lives. It is like a stone being thrown into a pond causing a ripple effect on the surface, disturbing the peace and tranquillity. Some people may even experience panic attacks if they become overwhelmed by their circumstances or have over-processed information to the point where they see no hope of a deliverance.
The opening Scripture says that the peace that is offered by God is obtained by focusing on God, who is our refuge, strong tower, pillar of strength and covenant partner who will face every situation with us. Our problem is His problem because covenant partners have pledged to go through all challenges in life together. Covenant partners have shared resources including wisdom and strength, so we can draw on God’s grace, peace, and strength during such times. The word peace is shalom in Hebrew, which means to be safe and sound, healthy, unscathed, at peace, completed, uninjured in mind or body. It signifies a sense of well-being and harmony both inwardly and outwardly, health, wholeness, happiness, quietness of soul, preservation, prosperity, tranquillity, security, safety and includes all that makes life worthwhile.
It is God’s desire for us to have peace in our hearts and minds, and to experience shalom in our lives. It is a holistic prosperity where we are well in our spirit, soul, and body. This desire of God is consistent in the Old Testament and the New Testament, and the key in keeping this shalom is to keep our focus on God and His Word, especially His promises and all that He has attained for us in Christ.
Sermon Series: Keeping the Peace of God
以神为中心的平安
以赛亚书26:3-4坚心倚赖你的，你必保守他十分平安，因为他倚靠你。你们当倚靠耶和华直到永远，因为耶和华是永久的磐石。
你是否意识到，每当我们听到任何负面报道或在生活中经历不愉快的时候，神的平安就会从我们身上被偷走。最近，我们在世界上听到了不少负面消息，在目前的情况下，在耐心等待突破的时候，我们该怎么在我们的心思意念中持守住神的平安呢？答案都可以在圣经中找到。
平安的反面是焦虑、担心或心神不宁，因为我们听到负面的消息或者生活中经历了困境。就像一块石头被扔进池塘里，在水面上产生涟漪效应，扰乱我们的平静与安宁。有些人甚至可能会经历焦虑症，如果被自己面临的境地所压倒，或者处理过多的信息，他们就看不到解脱的希望。
开头的经文说 神所赐的平安是藉着仰望神而拥有的。神是我们的避难所、我们的坚固的后盾，是我们力量的支柱和盟约的伙伴，祂必与我们一起面对每一个处境。我们的问题就是祂的问题，因为盟约伙伴已承诺一起经历生命中的所有挑战。我们共享资源，包括智慧和力量。因此我们可以在这样的时候仰赖 神的恩典、平安和力量。平安一词在希伯来语中叫 shalom，意思是安全、健全、健康、毫发无损、平静、完整、身心健康。表示内在和外在的幸福与和谐，健康、完整、幸福、灵魂的宁静、保存、繁荣、安宁、平静、安全，还包括一切让生命变得有价值的事物。
神的心意是要我们的心思意念都有平安。祂想要我们在生命中体验 Shalom的平安。这是一种身心灵全然的兴盛。无论在旧约还是新约中 神的心意都是不变的，而持守住平安的关键是我们需要专注于 神和祂的话语，尤其是祂的应许和祂在基督里为我们所获得的一切。
讲章系列：持守住神的平安
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