Shalom Shalom: A Partnership with God
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." — Isaiah 26:3 NIV
In a time where peace feels tentative, Isaiah does something interesting in this verse. He uses the word shalom twice -- shalom shalom -- which the NIV translates as perfect peace. Not a fleeting calm or the mere absence of conflict, this is wholeness, security, and well-being—peace in its highest form.
Yet this peace is not passive; it does not simply happen to us. It is both a divine gift and a human responsibility. God keeps peace—guards it like a shepherd protecting his flock—but we must stay in that peace by fixing our minds on God. The Hebrew suggests a steady, unwavering trust, a mind that does not wander into fear or grasp at control, but remains anchored in God’s presence.
Here lies the tension: God provides peace, but we must participate. To trust is to rest in the truth that we are held, even when life shakes us. It is to return, again and again, to the deep assurance that shalom is not just possible but promised.
So today, when anxiety stirs or uncertainty rises, remember: shalom shalom. A peace beyond circumstances. A peace that holds you, as you cling to God.
Reflection: What would it look like for you to keep your mind stayed on God today?
