Text: Isaiah 26:3-4

Introduction

1. Sleepless nights indicate an absence of peace.

2. What are some things in life that steals our peace? Uncertainty (of future), sickness, debts, relationships, people around us.

3. Often people attempt to fill the gap with pseudo peace. Ex: Alcohol, drugs, unhealthy relationships, yelling at and beating their children etc.

4. But did you know that true peace is available from God through Jesus Christ?

5. The peace that is available through our Lord Jesus Christ can keep you at rest even in the midst of disaster and crisis.

6. In today’s sermon lets find out how to receive this perfect gift?

I. First there are three conditions.

1. Go to the right source, (Isaiah 26:3a)

A. This is the first condition.

B. We loose peace of mind when we face situations beyond our control.

C. Then he is the only authentic source.

2. The second condition is a steadfast mind, (Isaiah 26:3b)

A. We are tempted to consider alternatives that generate instant results when we face crisis (Ex: occult).

B. They generate quick results but they are less than perfect and gradually fade away causing more issues.

C. God takes time, but his peace lasts forever.

D. The Hebrew word for “steadfast” is “camak” (pronounced saw-mak’) which means to “lean on” – always lean on God.

3. A heart filled with trust, (Isaiah 26:3c)

A. Trusting and leaning goes hand in hand. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

B. We tend to believe in people over God because naturally we like to believe in the tangible other than the intangible.

C. Let him be an ordinary person – let him be a man as great as a princes. Still it’s futile to place your trust in man. Psalms 118:8-9

II. Why God of the Bible?

1. God has control over every situation, (Isaiah 26:4)

A. God is never shaken.

B. When we loose control over life’s situations we loose peace also.

C. Did you know that God has control over everything?

2. He never changes, (Isaiah 26:4)

A. The Bible often refers to God as an everlasting rock.

B. I remember Stonehenge. Experts say the huge stones used in this arrangement are 3,500 to 5,100 years old. Then I remember “Sigiriya” (means Lion’s rock) of Sri Lanka. One of the kings who ruled the island used “Sigiriya” as a fortress. Experts say it has existed from prehistoric times.

C. In the OT the Lord reveals himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because he is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.

III. Application

A. Which source would you choose? God or something else?

B. What do you like most? Wait for God to set you free at his time and enjoy real peace of mind or settle for some quick solution that will never last?

C. May be this is the most important question this evening. Do you trust God?

D. The decision is yours!