“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” –Isaiah 26:3, ESV
Kept.
This is who I want to be in 2014. This is how I want to live.
Kept … in perfect peace—the Father’s pledge to me preceded by my obedience to him. That obedience? To trust God first and, then, out of that unwavering confidence, to lay, lean, rest, and support my mind upon him … to stay with God.
With that trusting and in that staying comes a God-guarded, perfect peace—completeness, tranquility, safety, and contentment that cannot be secured in any other way. Like a night watchman keeping vigilance over his vineyard, the Father promises to safeguard my peace so that the harvest remains intact, healthy and thriving to fullness.
I don’t imagine I’ve ever experienced this perfect peace long-term. There have been moments, even days, perhaps a season or two of holding this kind of sustained, perfect peace, but I want more than seasonal glimpses. What I’m after is an enduring fellowship with this God-protected contentment.
And so, when I dreamed about these words from Isaiah 26:3 a few nights ago (to be fair, I didn’t know they were found in Isaiah 26:3 at the time), I awakened in the morning holding a fresh purpose for my 2014. This year, I want to know my Father as Keeper. I want to be kept in his perfect peace. Accordingly, I must tend to my trusting and to my staying.
A pledge preceded by an obedience. A pledge and an obedience tucked securely within the set of bookends who can and who does author such reality:
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
You. God. Father. Keeper.
He is where I begin my 2014. He is where I’ll finish. And in between my now and my then, a long season of trusting and staying … an enduring season of fellowship with God-protected contentment.
Kept. This is who I want to be in 2014. This is how I want to live … anchored and held by the rich truth and work of Isaiah 26:3. And so I offer my “welcome” to this New Year, and I offer my welcome to you as well. For as much and as little as we are able, the fellowship we share here is a stone of remembrance for me on this journey of grace. May God keep you strong and in the faith this 2014, and may you be guarded by his perfect peace every step of the way.
Stay with God,
Well said! Beautifully stated! Wonderfully true!
….brings a whole new shade of meaning to the term “a kept woman”!
I envy you. Usually by this time I have an anchor verse or at least a WORD. As of 1:39 p.m. 1/1/2014, nothing.
Take a nap! It worked for me. It will come. Don’t force it.
Beautiful. These words pierced me, so deeply. You’ve given new meaning to being a “kept woman” my friend.
I’ll stand alongside you in His peaceful spot, kept for whatever He needs to bring my way.
Happy 2014 – May we find more strength to finish this journey well.
Love this, dear friend. I pray this verse daily for my oldest granddaughter. It’s the life verse I selected for her when she was born. I love the idea of being kept – like a kept woman of God! Happy New Year sweet friend.
Honestly, I don’t know fully how to stay in this place of protected peace, but I’m going to be practical in my endeavors. I’d love any thoughts along these lines.
Great choice and beautiful post, as always. Have a wonderful new year!
that was me up above…been away to long!
So good to see you here, Deborah!
What beautiful thoughts and longings for this new year of 2014 Elaine! I pray that I may be kept more aware of the presence of my Lord in my life and act and think accordingly.
Love you my faithful friend!
Marilyn
I LOVED this post. And it is just where I want to be too. You have stated it soo well as always. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you Elaine…may the LORD bless you and KEEP you all year! HUGS
My first comment got cyber zapped, so will try again…
What a good word for 2014, Elaine. It’s the prayer of my own heart as well.
Thank you for the sharing through these years, and for your friendship. You are such a rich blessing in my life.
Happy New Year to you and Preacher Billy.
Love your anchor verse and word this year, Elaine. Love the focus of what God will do for us we trust in Him. May God bless and keep you at all times. Happy New Year!!
One of my favorite verses. Because I am so desperate to ‘get it down’… 🙂
I have to say, this year with so many uprootings in my life-including a tooth. 🙂
…. I have grabbed hold of a bit more peace in circumstances where once I would have experienced anxiety.
It is such a relief to experience growth in the midst of often feeling like I’ve lost ground somehow… or feeling like I should be farther along in victory over certain things.
God bless you with fixed eyes and extended, enduring peace!!!
Any movement forward goes in the “win” column. Like you, I’m seeing small steps of growth when it comes to this peace of God – slowly learning to fix and fasten my thoughts on him, especially in those moments when my mind easily strays to lesser thoughts. Sort of like flipping a switch. One thought at a time …
A great word, Elaine – and a great goal. I also pray for His peace to be a constant presence in my life.
Next Monday I’m posting about the *word* that God has given me for 2014. I’m still processing it a bit, to be honest. It’s going to be a very interesting year as God works His lessons into my life and my heart.
GOD BLESS!
This is GOOD! So very good! I want to be a kept woman, too. Lovely post, Elaine. Happy New Year!
Elaine,
How lovely to be back on your site again and to be able to peek into your new word for the year. “Kept” is a good focus, and I was just sharing that verse with my daughter last night for another reason.
How has your move this last year or so gone? Are you feeling more settled now? How is ministry for you and your man going?
Blessings,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com