“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee …”

— Isaiah 26:3, kjv

Many people run themselves into the ground because of stress, strain, worry, and anxiety. I suppose a proper epitaph for most people in America today would be “Hurried, worried, buried.”

Did I just write your biography?

Many times we wish we could wash our hands of all our responsibilities and worries. The executive of one small company decided he would. Even though his company was headed for bankruptcy, he decided to quit worrying about it. So this executive called in his first vice-president and said, “I have had it with worrying about this company. If you’ll take over and handle all my worrying for me, I will add $50,000 to your salary.” Startled and perplexed by this generous offer (knowing the financial condition of the company), the vice-president asked, “But where are you going to get an extra $50,000?” The boss replied, “That’s your first worry.”

William Gladstone, perhaps the greatest Prime Minister England ever had, was a fine Christian man who served the Lord. On the wall of his bedroom hung a large plaque embroidered with this text: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” It was the first thing Gladstone saw when he awoke in the morning and the last thing he saw before retiring at night.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” There is the secret of peace. We can have this peace because we know that the One upon whom we’ve stayed our minds is the One who works all things together for our good.

Is the frantic pace of modern life robbing you of your peace today? If so, slow down and refocus on the Lord. Realize that He’s with you, and He’s in control no matter what comes your way. Stay your mind on Him, and let Him grant you His peace.

“Give me, O God, this day a strong and
vivid sense that Thou art by my side.”
John Baillie