“A person whose desire rests on you you preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
I think we all can close our eyes and imagine what we consider perfect peace. Maybe it’s a quiet night by the lake with a fire going, or maybe it’s watching the stars at night after the children are safely tucked into bed. While these times of peace can bring relaxation and contentment, there is another peace that may not be easily understood.
“What I am leaving with you is shalom [peace] – I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened.” (John 14:27)
“I have said these things to you so that, united with me, you may have shalom. In the world, you will have tsuris [troubles]. But be brave! I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33)
In these two scriptures Jesus encourages his followers to “be brave” and “don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened.” It may be difficult to assimilate the warnings attached to the peace Jesus offers with the peace we imagine in our own minds. Jesus offers his peace to enable us to endure horrible circumstances, including death. Paul models this peace at the end of his life. In his letter to Timothy he writes, “For as for me, I am already being poured out on the alter; yes, the time for my departure has arrived.” (II Timothy 4:6) It is believed that Paul was beheaded in Rome for spreading the Good News about Christ, although in one of his final statements he demonstrates perfect peace.
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (II Timothy, 4:18)
This peace in the face of death is not something man is capable of producing on his own; it’s the peace that God gives through his Son, Yeshua. His words in John’s account are true, “In the world, you will have tsuris [troubles].” This brings us to the words written in Isaiah 26:3. Those who desire to know, love and trust God will have the protection of his presence resulting in perfect peace regardless of circumstances.
The first verse of that old hymn “Be Still, My Soul” beautifully illustrates this peace:
Be still, my soul! for God is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain:
leave to your God to order and provide,
who through all changes faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
By Kathrina von Schlegel, public domain.
There’s no promise of an easy path, although our earthly troubles lead to a “joyful end.” The message of scripture and this song is that while our lives on this earth may be difficult, even tragic, he will be with us through it all, and the joyful end makes all the trouble worth the pain.
Christ, while on the cross, also experienced this perfect peace. As prophesied in Psalms; “I am ever mindful of the Lord’s presence; He is at my right hand; I shall never be shaken. So my heart rejoices, my whole being exults, and my body rests secure. For You will not abandon me to Sheol, or let Your faithful one see the Pit.” (Psalms 16:8-10, Tanakh)
Stephen is thought to be the first martyr, and the account of his death in Acts manifests this notion of perfect peace regardless of circumstances. “Now Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great miracles and signs among the people. But opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called)…They argued with Stephen, but they could not stand up against the wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke. So they secretly persuaded some men to allege, “We heard him speak blasphemously against Moses and against God.” They stirred up the people, as well as the elders and the Torah-teachers; so they came and arrested him and led him before the Sanhedrin [Jewish religious court].” (Acts 6:8-12)
“Everyone sitting in the Sanhedrin stared at Stephen and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15) Leaders of the religious community saw peace on the face of Stephen, and allowed him to answer the accusations. What followed was an extraordinary historical narrative boldly delivered by Stephen beginning with Abraham and concluding with Stephen calling the leaders “Stiffnecked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!…” (Acts 7:51) He branded them betrayers and murderers for killing Yeshua the Messiah.
“On hearing these things, they were cut to their hearts and ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Ruach HaKodesh [Holy Spirit], looked up to heaven and saw God’s Sh’khinah [Manifest Glory], with Yeshua standing at the right hand of God. “Look!” he exclaimed, “I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” At this, they began yelling at the top of their voices, so that they wouldn’t have to hear him; and with one accord, they rushed at him,” (Acts 7:54-57)
“As they were stoning him, Stephen called out to God, “Lord Yeshua! Receive my spirit!” Then he kneeled down and shouted out, “Lord! Don’t hold this sin against them!” With that, he died;” (Acts 7:59-60)
Perfect peace.
*All scripture is from the Complete Jewish Bible unless noted otherwise. Some names in the Complete Jewish Bible have been translated to English.