You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you. – Isaiah 26:3
Are you grieving? Are you dealing with chronic pain because of sickness or disease? Do you have a child who has gone astray and you do not even know where he or she is? These are potential disrupters of peace.
Polycarp was a first-century bishop in Smyrna (modern Izmir in Turkey) said to have been mentored by John the apostle. The Romans set out to destroy him, as they did other leaders in the Early Church, for preaching against their gods and for Jesus Christ. An eyewitness document records how Polycarp was taunted by the Roman officials of Smyrna who promised to make sure that he “shared the sufferings of Christ.” At age 86, he was arrested and taken to the arena to be burned at the stake. Out of respect for his old age, the official told him if he would deny Christ, his life would be spared.
Polycarp’s response declared, “86 years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” Ultimately, the fire was lit, and the flames shaped into the form of an arch and encircled his body. He appeared “like a basket of gold and silver, glowing from a furnace,” and those who were witnesses smelled a sweet scent, like frankincense or other precious spices. He is recognized as an early church martyr, but he never doubted for a moment the peace that was his in Jesus.
Have you received such peace from the Lord that you could stand before tormenters or those who would take your life and stay firm for Jesus? Allow the peace of Jesus to comfort your grief, help you endure pain, and keep you in prayer for your straying child. “Stay your mind” on the Savior. Remain deeply connected to Him in prayer and in reading and adhering to the Word of God. Ask that your life glorifies the Lord each day.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 10:26-33, 39
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
