Isaiah
26:3
3 Thou wilt keep [natsar] him in perfect [shalowm]
peace [shalowm], whose mind [yetser] is stayed [camak] on thee:
because he trusteth [batach] in thee. KJV-Interlinear
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind
is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ESV
One of the more
popular verses that people memorize. This
verse emphasizes the objective of spiritual maturity as a result of learning
and growing through Bible doctrine, through faith.
Him, is a
reference to the individual believer in Christ.
Peace is repeated
here as perfect peace, and this is the state of mind in perfect contentment and
relaxed mental attitude that results from spiritual growth.
Whose mind is
stayed, is a phrase that makes it clear that peace comes from the content of
Bible doctrine in the soul. The mind
refers to the center of content as in memory or knowledge. And the word for stayed, indicates the focus
of ones thoughts. That focus is on the
Lord, who is Christ. But the person of
Christ is embodied in the written word, or Bible doctrine. Jesus Christ is the written Word, as well as
the living word referring to the living person of Jesus.
To know doctrine
is to know Christ.
Without knowing
Bible doctrine, one cannot possibly know Christ.
Trust is faith and
the confidence and poise and maturity that results from advancement in the
spiritual life.
Therefore, faith
leads to study, and study of Bible doctrine leads to growth. Growth leads to utilization and continued
thoughts of doctrine in the life.
The result is a relaxed
mental attitude, and peace, which is the peace of God that exceeds all human
understanding.
